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A voxel based morphometry study on mild cognitive impairment
C Pennanen1, C Testa, M P Laakso
1Department of Neurology, Bldg. 5, Kuopio University Hospital, POB 1777, 70211 Kuopio, Finland.
Background:
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the most widely used concept in classifying cognitive impairment in the elderly who do not fulfil the criteria for dementia. MCI is considered to confer an increased risk of progressing to dementia and most often Alzheimer's disease (AD). Various approaches such as imaging of the brain have been applied to predict the conversion of MCI to dementia. A number of volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have detected atrophy of the medial temporal lobe in subjects with MCI, but for the other cerebral regions the results have been inconsistent.
Objective:
To study the pattern of brain atrophy in MCI.
Methods:
Thirty two controls and 51 individuals with MCI deriving from population based cohorts were studied by MRI using voxel based morphometry. The threshold of t maps was set at p < 0.001.
Results:
Individuals with MCI had significant unilateral atrophy in the medial temporal lobe on the right side. Less extensive atrophy was found elsewhere-for example, in the temporal lobe, left superior parietal lobule, left anterior cingulate gyrus, and bilaterally in the thalami.
Conclusions:
The MRI findings in MCI resemble those seen in early AD.
Insights
Brain imaging reveals significant right-sided medial temporal lobe atrophy in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). These patterns mirror early Alzheimer's disease (AD) changes, aiding in dementia risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a precursor to dementia, often Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- Predicting MCI progression to dementia is crucial for early intervention.
- Previous volumetric MRI studies show inconsistent results regarding brain atrophy in MCI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific patterns of brain atrophy in individuals with MCI.
- To identify brain regions affected by atrophy in MCI using MRI.
Main Methods:
- Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis of MRI scans.
- Study included 51 individuals with MCI and 32 healthy controls from population-based cohorts.
- Statistical threshold for significant atrophy was set at p < 0.001.
Main Results:
- Significant unilateral atrophy was observed in the right medial temporal lobe of individuals with MCI.
- Additional areas of atrophy included the temporal lobe, left superior parietal lobule, left anterior cingulate gyrus, and bilateral thalami.
- These findings indicate widespread, though uneven, brain atrophy in MCI.
Conclusions:
- The observed pattern of brain atrophy in MCI is similar to that seen in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
- MRI-based atrophy patterns may serve as a biomarker for MCI progression.
- Further research can refine the use of neuroimaging for early AD detection.
