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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Brain tissue damage in dementia with Lewy bodies: an in vivo diffusion tensor MRI study
M Bozzali1, A Falini, M Cercignani
1Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation, Scientific Institute and University, IRCCS, Milan, Italy. m.bozzali@fil.ion.ucl.ac.uk
Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to apply diffusion tensor MRI (DT-MRI), a quantitative MRI measure which reflects tissue organization, to dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). DT-MRI scans were obtained from 15 patients with probable DLB and 10 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Abnormalities were found in the corpus callosum, pericallosal areas and the frontal, parietal, occipital and, less prominently, temporal white matter of patients compared with controls. Abnormalities were also found in the caudate nucleus and the putamen. The average grey matter volume was lower in patients than in controls. These findings of concomitant grey matter atrophy and white matter abnormalities (as detected by DT-MRI) in regions with a high prevalence of long connecting fibre tracts might suggest the presence of neurodegeneration involving associative cortices. The modest involvement of the temporal lobe fits with the relative preservation of global neuropsychological measures and memory tasks in the early stage of DLB. The selective involvement of parietal, frontal and occipital lobes might explain some of the clinical and neuropsychological features of DLB, providing a possible distinctive marker for this disease. The abnormalities found in the subcortical grey matter may indicate that DLB and Parkinson's disease share a similar nigrostriatal involvement caused by common pathophysiological mechanisms.
Insights
Diffusion tensor MRI reveals white matter abnormalities in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), correlating with grey matter atrophy. These findings may help distinguish DLB from other neurodegenerative diseases.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a common neurodegenerative disorder.
- Understanding the underlying neurobiology of DLB is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
- Diffusion tensor MRI (DT-MRI) offers insights into white matter integrity and tissue organization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate white matter abnormalities in patients with probable dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) using diffusion tensor MRI (DT-MRI).
- To compare DT-MRI findings in DLB patients with those in healthy controls.
- To explore the relationship between white matter changes, grey matter atrophy, and clinical features in DLB.
Main Methods:
- Acquisition of DT-MRI scans from 15 patients with probable DLB and 10 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
- Quantitative analysis of DT-MRI data to assess white matter integrity.
- Measurement of grey matter volume using MRI.
Main Results:
- DT-MRI revealed significant white matter abnormalities in DLB patients compared to controls, particularly in the corpus callosum, pericallosal areas, and frontal, parietal, and occipital white matter.
- Abnormalities were also observed in the caudate nucleus and putamen.
- DLB patients exhibited lower average grey matter volume than controls.
- White matter abnormalities and grey matter atrophy were found in regions rich in long connecting fiber tracts.
Conclusions:
- Concomitant grey matter atrophy and white matter abnormalities in DLB suggest neurodegeneration affecting associative cortices.
- The pattern of white matter involvement, particularly in parietal, frontal, and occipital lobes, may serve as a distinctive marker for DLB.
- Subcortical grey matter abnormalities suggest shared pathophysiological mechanisms between DLB and Parkinson's disease, specifically nigrostriatal involvement.
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