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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Tracking progression in frontotemporal lobar degeneration: serial MRI in semantic dementia
J D Rohrer1, E McNaught, J Foster
1Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK.
Neurology
|October 29, 2008
Summary
Semantic dementia causes progressive brain atrophy, particularly in the right temporal lobe. MRI-based temporal lobe volume loss is a sensitive biomarker for tracking disease progression in clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Neuroimaging
- Frontotemporal lobar degeneration
Background:
- Semantic dementia is a subtype of frontotemporal lobar degeneration characterized by semantic processing decline.
- This study investigates brain atrophy patterns in semantic dementia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize longitudinal brain atrophy in semantic dementia.
- To identify imaging biomarkers for clinical trials.
Main Methods:
- Volumetric brain MRI scans from 21 semantic dementia patients (8 pathologically confirmed) were analyzed at two time points.
- Whole-brain and region-of-interest analyses were performed.
- Sample size estimates for trials were calculated.
Main Results:
- Significant whole-brain atrophy and ventricular enlargement were observed in patients compared to controls.
- Patients had smaller left temporal lobes at baseline, but the right temporal lobe showed a greater atrophy rate.
- The right hippocampus also exhibited a higher atrophy rate than the left.
Conclusions:
- Right temporal lobe atrophy accelerates over time in semantic dementia, correlating with symptom progression.
- MRI-measured temporal lobe volume loss is a feasible and sensitive marker for disease progression.
- Temporal lobe measurements are optimal for sample size calculations in clinical trials.
