Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Changes in DWI and MRS associated with white matter hyperintensities in elderly subjects
M J Firbank1, T Minett, J T O'Brien
1Wolfson Research Centre, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. m.j.firbank@ncl.ac.uk
Objective:
To assess normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) characteristics by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in elderly subjects.
Methods:
The authors studied 60 volunteers (mean age 72.6 years; SD 4.7; range 64 to 84 years) without signs of neurologic illness. They used DWI and spectroscopic imaging to investigate whether there were changes in the NAWM that related to the presence of white matter hyperintensities (WMH).
Results:
The authors found a correlation (p < 0.001) between the apparent diffusion coefficient in the NAWM and the total volume of WMH. The metabolite ratios N-acetylaspartate/creatine and N-acetylaspartate/choline of the NAWM also correlated significantly with total WMH volume. These correlations were independent of age.
Conclusions:
Damage associated with WMH is detectable in NAWM.
More Related Videos
12:50Lesion Explorer: A Video-guided, Standardized Protocol for Accurate and Reliable MRI-derived Volumetrics in Alzheimer's Disease and Normal Elderly
Published on: April 14, 2014
07:30Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Dementia l: Introduction