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White matter changes in mild cognitive impairment and AD: A diffusion tensor imaging study

David Medina1, Leyla DeToledo-Morrell, Fabio Urresta

  • 1Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, 1725 W. Harrison, Suite 309, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.

Neurobiology of Aging
|July 12, 2005
PubMed

Insights

White matter changes, measured by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), are detectable in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). These microstructural alterations in white matter tracts occur before dementia onset.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Neurology
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional stage preceding dementia.
  • White matter (WM) integrity is crucial for cognitive function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate white matter microstructural integrity in patients with AD and MCI.
  • To assess early WM changes using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
  • To compare WM integrity between AD, MCI, and healthy controls (NC).

Main Methods:

  • Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was employed to assess white matter.
  • Fractional anisotropy (FA), a DTI index of WM integrity, was calculated.
  • Voxel-by-voxel analysis compared FA values across groups (AD, MCI, NC).

Main Results:

  • Significant reductions in FA were observed in posterior WM regions for both MCI and AD groups compared to controls.
  • There was a notable overlap in the locations of reduced FA between MCI and AD participants.
  • These findings indicate early white matter microstructural compromise in MCI.

Conclusions:

  • White matter integrity is compromised in individuals with MCI, predating the development of dementia.
  • DTI is a sensitive tool for detecting early microstructural changes in AD and MCI.
  • Early detection of WM changes may aid in understanding disease progression and developing interventions.

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