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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Quantitative MRI: hidden age-related changes in brain tissue
1Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA. matilde.inglese@med.nyu.edu
Abstract:
The advent of MRI has made a remarkable progress in the understanding of age-related brain changes providing a noninvasive tool to study in vivo the normally aging individuals at multiple time points. However, conventional MRI techniques are unable to detect and quantify age-related microstructural changes that have been documented at the post-mortem examination of brain tissues. More sophisticated, quantitative MR techniques such as magnetization transfer imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and proton MR spectroscopy have been shown to be sensitive to microstructural and metabolic changes that occur in gray and white matter over the course of life span. This review highlights some of these innovative, quantitative MR techniques that are particularly relevant for the study of occult age-related brain tissue changes. Characterization of the in vivo patterns of molecular and cellular changes that occur in the normal aging brain is of crucial importance to understand the pathophysiology of normal cognitive decline and to interpret observed changes in neurodegenerative diseases.
Insights
Advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques reveal subtle aging brain changes. These methods track microstructural and metabolic shifts in vivo, aiding understanding of cognitive decline.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Gerontology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Conventional MRI offers limited insight into age-related brain microstructural alterations.
- Post-mortem studies reveal significant tissue changes with aging.
- In vivo imaging is crucial for understanding normal aging and neurodegeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advanced quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.
- To highlight MRI methods sensitive to occult age-related brain changes.
- To emphasize the importance of in vivo characterization of aging brain tissue.
Main Methods:
- Magnetization transfer imaging
- Diffusion tensor imaging
- Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Main Results:
- Quantitative MRI techniques detect microstructural and metabolic changes in aging gray and white matter.
- These advanced methods provide in vivo insights into normally aging brains.
- The techniques are sensitive to subtle, previously undetectable age-related alterations.
Conclusions:
- Innovative quantitative MRI techniques are vital for studying subtle aging brain changes.
- In vivo characterization of molecular and cellular changes is key to understanding cognitive decline.
- These methods aid in interpreting changes observed in neurodegenerative diseases.
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