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Alterations in cortical thickness and white matter integrity in mild cognitive impairment measured by whole-brain
L Wang1, F C Goldstein, E Veledar
1Department of Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga 30322, USA.
Background And Purpose:
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a risk factor for Alzheimer disease and can be difficult to diagnose because of the subtlety of symptoms. This study attempted to examine gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) changes with cortical thickness analysis and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in patients with MCI and demographically matched comparison subjects to test these measurements as possible imaging markers for diagnosis.
Materials And Methods:
Subjects with amnestic MCI (n = 10; age, 72.2 +/- 7.1 years) and normal cognition (n = 10; age, 70.1 +/- 7.7 years) underwent DTI and T1-weighted MR imaging at 3T. Fractional anisotropy (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and cortical thickness were measured and compared between the MCI and control groups. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of 2 methods, either in combination or separately, using binary logistic regression and nonparametric statistical analyses for sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.
Results:
Decreased FA and increased ADC in WM regions of the frontal and temporal lobes and corpus callosum (CC) were observed in patients with MCI. Cortical thickness was decreased in GM regions of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes in patients with MCI. Changes in WM and cortical thickness seemed to be more pronounced in the left hemisphere compared with the right hemisphere. Furthermore, the combination of cortical thickness and DTI measurements in the left temporal areas improved the accuracy of differentiating MCI patients from control subjects compared with either measure alone.
Conclusions:
DTI and cortical thickness analyses may both serve as imaging markers to differentiate MCI from normal aging. Combined use of these 2 methods may improve the accuracy of MCI diagnosis.
Insights
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and cortical thickness analysis show potential for diagnosing mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Combining these methods may improve diagnostic accuracy for MCI, distinguishing it from normal aging.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a precursor to Alzheimer's disease.
- Diagnosing MCI is challenging due to subtle symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) changes in MCI patients.
- To evaluate cortical thickness and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) as diagnostic markers for MCI.
Main Methods:
- Compared 10 MCI patients with 10 healthy controls using 3T MRI.
- Measured fractional anisotropy (FA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and cortical thickness.
- Assessed diagnostic accuracy of individual and combined imaging methods.
Main Results:
- MCI patients showed decreased FA and increased ADC in frontal, temporal WM, and corpus callosum.
- Reduced cortical thickness was observed in GM regions of frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes in MCI.
- Combined DTI and cortical thickness in left temporal areas enhanced MCI diagnostic accuracy.
Conclusions:
- DTI and cortical thickness analysis are promising imaging markers for differentiating MCI.
- Combining DTI and cortical thickness improves MCI diagnostic accuracy compared to individual methods.
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