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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Diffusion indices on magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological performance in amnestic mild cognitive
S E Rose1, K L McMahon, A L Janke
1Centre for Magnetic Resonance, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia. Stephen.Rose@cmr.uq.edu.au
Background:
Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) shows promise in the early detection of microstructural pathophysiological changes in the brain.
Objectives:
To measure microstructural differences in the brains of participants with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) compared with an age-matched control group using an optimised DTI technique with fully automated image analysis tools and to investigate the correlation between diffusivity measurements and neuropsychological performance scores across groups.
Methods:
34 participants (17 participants with MCI, 17 healthy elderly adults) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based DTI. To control for the effects of anatomical variation, diffusion images of all participants were registered to standard anatomical space. Significant statistical differences in diffusivity measurements between the two groups were determined on a pixel-by-pixel basis using gaussian random field theory.
Results:
Significantly raised mean diffusivity measurements (p<0.001) were observed in the left and right entorhinal cortices (BA28), posterior occipital-parietal cortex (BA18 and BA19), right parietal supramarginal gyrus (BA40) and right frontal precentral gyri (BA4 and BA6) in participants with MCI. With respect to fractional anisotropy, participants with MCI had significantly reduced measurements (p<0.001) in the limbic parahippocampal subgyral white matter, right thalamus and left posterior cingulate. Pearson's correlation coefficients calculated across all participants showed significant correlations between neuropsychological assessment scores and regional measurements of mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy.
Conclusions:
DTI-based diffusivity measures may offer a sensitive method of detecting subtle microstructural brain changes associated with preclinical Alzheimer's disease.
Insights
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) detects early brain changes in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). These microstructural differences correlate with cognitive performance, aiding preclinical Alzheimer's disease detection.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) shows potential for early detection of brain microstructural changes.
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a precursor to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify microstructural brain differences in amnestic MCI patients versus controls using optimized DTI.
- To explore the relationship between DTI diffusivity measures and neuropsychological test scores.
Main Methods:
- 34 participants (17 MCI, 17 controls) underwent MRI-based DTI.
- Automated image analysis and standard anatomical space registration were employed.
- Pixel-by-pixel statistical analysis using Gaussian random field theory identified significant differences.
Main Results:
- MCI participants showed increased mean diffusivity in the entorhinal cortex, occipital-parietal cortex, and frontal/parietal gyri.
- Reduced fractional anisotropy was observed in MCI patients within the parahippocampal white matter, thalamus, and posterior cingulate.
- Significant correlations were found between DTI measures and neuropsychological assessment scores across all participants.
Conclusions:
- DTI-derived diffusivity metrics can sensitively detect subtle brain microstructural alterations.
- These findings suggest DTI's utility in identifying preclinical Alzheimer's disease.
