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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
09:33

Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Published on: July 28, 2013

Cerebral white matter degeneration in frontotemporal dementia detected by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance

Takashi Yoshiura1, Futoshi Mihara, Hiroshi Koga

  • 1Department of Clinical Radiology, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. tyoshiura@syd.odn.ne.jp

Academic Radiology
|October 31, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) revealed white matter microstructural damage in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) patients. These changes in mean diffusivity (MD) suggest FTD impacts brain connectivity.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Neurology
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive brain tissue damage.
  • Systematic investigation of white matter microstructural changes in FTD using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate in vivo white matter microstructural integrity in FTD patients using DWI.
  • To determine if mean diffusivity (MD) abnormalities can be detected in the white matter of FTD patients.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 13 FTD patients and 15 age-matched healthy controls were recruited.
  • Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) was employed to assess white matter integrity.
  • Mean diffusivity (MD) in 28 white matter regions was evaluated visually and quantitatively relative to the postcentral gyrus.

Main Results:

  • Visual assessment showed significant MD elevation in FTD patients in superior frontal, orbitofrontal, and anterior temporal white matter regions (P < .01).
  • Quantitative analysis confirmed significant MD elevation in bilateral superior frontal, orbitofrontal, and anterior temporal white matter (P < .05 Bonferroni corrected).

Conclusions:

  • The study demonstrates significant white matter mean diffusivity (MD) abnormalities in FTD patients.
  • These findings suggest that white matter changes in FTD may be secondary to cortical damage.

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