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Differences in grey and white matter atrophy in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease

M L F Balthazar1, C L Yasuda, F R Pereira

  • 1Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Campinas, SP, Brazil.

European Journal of Neurology
|January 14, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) shows grey matter atrophy similar to Alzheimer's disease (AD), but lacks white matter atrophy. This suggests aMCI is an early AD indicator, with white matter changes differentiating MCI from AD.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Neurology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Grey matter (GM) atrophy is known in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  • The role of white matter (WM) atrophy in aMCI and its relation to AD progression remains unclear.
  • The validity of aMCI as a prodromal stage of AD has been questioned.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate patterns of GM and WM atrophy in mild AD, aMCI, and controls.
  • To investigate the potential of aMCI as an early indicator of AD pathology.
  • To differentiate between aMCI and mild AD based on atrophy patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Brain MRI with voxel-based morphometry analysis.
  • Comparison of atrophy patterns in 48 subjects across three groups: mild AD, aMCI, and age-matched controls.

Main Results:

  • aMCI exhibited GM atrophy in thalami and parahippocampal gyri, similar to but less intense than mild AD.
  • No significant WM atrophy was detected in the aMCI group compared to controls.
  • Mild AD showed WM atrophy in periventricular areas, corpus callosum, and WM adjacent to associative cortices.

Conclusions:

  • The similar pattern of GM atrophy supports aMCI as a valid concept for detecting early AD pathology.
  • The absence of WM atrophy in aMCI, contrasted with its presence in mild AD, suggests distinct pathological mechanisms.
  • WM involvement in mild AD may involve Wallerian degeneration and microvascular disease, aiding discrimination from MCI.

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