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White matter damage in Alzheimer disease and its relationship to gray matter atrophy

Federica Agosta1, Michela Pievani, Stefania Sala

  • 1Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Scientific Institute and University Ospedale San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy.

Radiology
|December 24, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Alzheimer disease (AD) shows widespread white matter (WM) damage, while amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) exhibits more localized WM changes. WM damage in AD correlates with gray matter (GM) atrophy, but not in aMCI.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Neurology
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Alzheimer disease (AD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) are associated with neurodegeneration.
  • White matter (WM) integrity is crucial for cognitive function and can be affected in neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Understanding the patterns of WM damage and their relationship with gray matter (GM) atrophy is vital for early diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate regional WM tract damage in patients with probable AD and biomarker-positive aMCI.
  • To determine the relationship between WM damage and GM atrophy in these patient groups.
  • To differentiate WM pathology patterns between AD and aMCI.

Main Methods:

  • Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) was used to assess WM integrity.
  • Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analyzed WM tract damage.
  • Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) quantified GM atrophy.

Main Results:

  • Patients with AD exhibited increased mean diffusivity in all major WM tracts and increased axial/radial diffusivity.
  • WM damage in AD correlated significantly with regional GM atrophy.
  • Patients with aMCI showed increased axial diffusivity in specific frontal and callosal tracts, with limited correlation to GM atrophy.

Conclusions:

  • WM abnormalities in AD may indicate a secondary degenerative process, with early stages potentially showing primary WM damage.
  • WM tract damage in AD is associated with GM atrophy.
  • WM changes in aMCI are more localized and less correlated with GM atrophy compared to AD.

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