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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Pre-dementia memory impairment is associated with white matter tract affection
Ramune Grambaite1, Ivar Reinvang, Per Selnes
1Department of Neurology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway. ramuneg@psykologi.uio.no
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS
|November 25, 2010
Summary
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subtypes show distinct white matter (WM) changes. Diffusion tensor imaging reveals WM alterations linked to memory deficits, potentially aiding early Alzheimer's disease diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is often a precursor to Alzheimer's disease (AD), with amnestic MCI (aMCI) linked to medial temporal lobe atrophy.
- White matter (WM) alterations in MCI require further investigation, particularly in relation to cognitive function and subtype differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cortical morphometric and WM diffusivity in amnestic (aMCI) versus non-amnestic (naMCI) subtypes of MCI.
- To determine if memory deficits and WM tract integrity are related independently of cortical atrophy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) WM tract and morphometric data in 49 MCI patients (aged 43-77).
- Classification of patients into aMCI, naMCI, or less advanced MCI (laMCI) by neuropsychologists.
- Comparison of WM diffusivity (DR and MD) and correlation with memory test performance (story, word list, visual memory).
Main Results:
- Higher WM radial and mean diffusivity (DR and MD) underlying the entorhinal cortex were observed in aMCI compared to laMCI.
- WM DR and MD in regions underlying the entorhinal, parahippocampal, and middle temporal cortex uniquely explained variance in word list and story memory.
- These WM-memory relationships were independent of cortical thinning.
Conclusions:
- Specific white matter diffusivity alterations are associated with amnestic MCI.
- WM integrity in key temporal-parietal memory network tracts is directly related to memory performance in MCI, independent of cortical atrophy.
- DTI shows potential as a diagnostic tool for early-stage neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
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