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Volume changes in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: cognitive associations

Matthew C Evans1, Josephine Barnes, Casper Nielsen

  • 1Dementia Research Centre, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.

European Radiology
|September 18, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Brain atrophy and ventricular enlargement measured by MRI correlate with cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, serving as key biomarkers.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Neurology
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are characterized by neurodegeneration.
  • Quantifying brain changes and cognitive decline is crucial for understanding disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between MRI-derived volumetric changes (whole-brain and ventricular) and cognitive score changes.
  • To evaluate these associations across control, MCI, and AD subject groups.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized T1-weighted volumetric MRIs from 131 control, 231 MCI, and 99 AD subjects (Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohort).
  • Assessed changes in whole-brain and ventricular volumes over 12 months.
  • Calculated changes in cognitive scores: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (ADAS-cog), and Trails Test.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in brain atrophy and ventricular enlargement rates were observed between subject groups (p < 0.0005).
  • In MCI and AD groups, atrophy and ventricular expansion correlated with MMSE changes.
  • MCI subjects progressing to AD showed higher atrophy and ventricular expansion rates compared to stable MCI subjects.

Conclusions:

  • Whole-brain atrophy and ventricular enlargement rates differ significantly across control, MCI, and AD groups.
  • These volumetric changes serve as relevant biomarkers for tracking disease progression and cognitive decline in AD and MCI.

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