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Serial MRI and CSF biomarkers in normal aging, MCI, and AD
P Vemuri1, H J Wiste, S D Weigand
1Aging and Dementia Imaging Research Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Neurology
|July 14, 2010
Summary
Structural MRI changes, unlike CSF biomarkers, correlate with cognitive decline and disease stage in Alzheimer's patients, influencing clinical trial design.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Biomarkers
- Alzheimer's Disease Research
Background:
- Alzheimer's Disease (AD) diagnosis relies on clinical assessment and biomarkers.
- Distinguishing between cognitively normal (CN), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and AD is crucial.
- Serial biomarker changes offer insights into disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- Compare annual changes in MRI and CSF biomarkers across CN, aMCI, and AD groups.
- Assess biomarker correlations with cognitive/functional changes and APOE genotype.
- Evaluate biomarker utility for clinical trial sample size estimation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) data.
- Analyzed CSF (total-tau, Abeta(1-42)) and MRI (ventricular volume) changes over 12 months.
- Included 312 participants (92 CN, 149 aMCI, 71 AD).
Main Results:
- No significant annual change in most CSF biomarkers, except t-tau in CN.
- Ventricular volume increase significantly higher in AD > aMCI > CN.
- MRI changes correlated with cognitive decline and APOE genotype; CSF biomarkers did not.
- MRI requires smaller sample sizes for clinical trials compared to CSF.
Conclusions:
- Serial structural MRI changes correlate with cognitive/functional decline in impaired individuals.
- MRI biomarkers track disease stage and are influenced by APOE genotype.
- MRI is a promising biomarker for Alzheimer's clinical trials.
