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Patterns of cerebral atrophy in dementia with Lewy bodies using voxel-based morphometry
E J Burton1, G Karas, S M Paling
1Institute for Ageing and Health, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. e.j.burton@ncl.ac.uk
Abstract:
Previous cross-sectional MRI studies based on region-of-interest analyses have shown that increased cerebral atrophy is a feature of both Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Relative preservation of the hippocampus and temporal lobe structures in DLB compared to AD has been reported in region-of-interest-based studies. Recently, image processing techniques such as voxel-based morphometry (VBM) have been developed to provide an unbiased, visually informative, and comprehensive means of studying patterns of cerebral atrophy. We report the first study to use the voxel-based approach to assess patterns of cerebral atrophy in DLB compared to control subjects and AD. Regional gray matter volume loss was observed bilaterally in the temporal and frontal lobes and insular cortex of patients with DLB compared to control subjects. Comparison of dementia groups showed preservation of the medial temporal lobe, hippocampus, and amygdala in DLB relative to AD. Significant gray matter loss was also observed in the thalamus of AD patients compared to DLB.
Insights
Voxel-based morphometry reveals distinct patterns of brain atrophy in Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). DLB shows frontal and temporal lobe loss, while AD impacts the thalamus, with DLB preserving key medial temporal structures.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Cerebral atrophy is a hallmark of neurodegenerative dementias like Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- Previous region-of-interest MRI studies suggested hippocampal and temporal lobe preservation in DLB relative to AD.
- Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) offers a more comprehensive and unbiased method for analyzing brain atrophy patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare patterns of cerebral atrophy in DLB versus control subjects and AD using VBM.
- To identify specific brain regions affected by gray matter loss in DLB.
Main Methods:
- Utilized voxel-based morphometry (VBM) for analyzing structural MRI scans.
- Compared patterns of gray matter volume loss across three groups: DLB patients, AD patients, and control subjects.
Main Results:
- DLB patients exhibited bilateral gray matter loss in the temporal and frontal lobes and insular cortex compared to controls.
- DLB patients showed relative preservation of the medial temporal lobe, hippocampus, and amygdala compared to AD patients.
- Alzheimer's disease patients demonstrated significant gray matter loss in the thalamus relative to DLB patients.
Conclusions:
- VBM effectively differentiates atrophy patterns in DLB and AD.
- DLB is characterized by distinct patterns of cerebral atrophy, particularly in the frontal and temporal lobes, with relative sparing of medial temporal structures.
- Findings support the utility of VBM in understanding the neuroanatomical differences between DLB and AD.