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Alzheimer disease: measuring loss of cerebral gray matter with MR imaging
H Rusinek1, M J de Leon, A E George
1Department of Radiology, New York University Medical Center, NY 10016.
Abstract:
The distributions of the cerebral gray matter, the white matter, and the intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured in 14 patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and in 14 healthy control subjects. The measurements, derived from two specifically designed magnetic resonance inversion-recovery sequences, compensate for partial signal averaging. The percentage of the gray matter in the brains of AD patients (44.9% +/- 4.4) was significantly lower than in control subjects (50.2% +/- 3.2). The most significant reduction (P less than .001) occurred in the temporal lobes (13.8%) and a central region (12.8); the reduction in frontal lobe (11.2%) and occipital lobe (9.2%) was also statistically significant (P less than .01). There was an increase in the CSF volume in the temporal, occipital, and frontal regions; no region showed a significant difference in the white matter content. The findings of diffuse changes and temporal lobe involvement in AD are consistent with pathologic observations of cortical cell loss.
Insights
Alzheimer disease (AD) is linked to reduced gray matter volume, particularly in the temporal lobes. This study quantifies these brain changes, showing increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in affected regions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline.
- Understanding structural brain changes in AD is crucial for diagnosis and monitoring disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and compare the distributions of cerebral gray matter, white matter, and intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and healthy controls.
- To investigate regional differences in these brain tissue volumes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two specialized magnetic resonance inversion-recovery sequences for precise measurements of brain tissue volumes.
- Analyzed data from 14 patients with AD and 14 age-matched healthy control subjects.
- Compensated for partial signal averaging to ensure accurate volume quantification.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower gray matter percentage in AD patients (44.9% ± 4.4) compared to controls (50.2% ± 3.2).
- Pronounced gray matter reduction in temporal lobes (13.8%) and central regions (12.8%) in AD patients (P < .001).
- Statistically significant gray matter loss also observed in frontal (11.2%) and occipital (9.2%) lobes (P < .01).
- Increased CSF volume in temporal, occipital, and frontal regions of AD patients.
- No significant differences in white matter content were found between groups.
Conclusions:
- The observed diffuse gray matter reduction, with prominent temporal lobe involvement, aligns with known neuropathological findings of cortical cell loss in Alzheimer disease.
- These quantitative MRI findings provide objective evidence of structural brain alterations in AD.
- The study highlights the utility of advanced MRI techniques in characterizing AD-related brain atrophy.