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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
08:49
Visualization of Cortical Modules in Flattened Mammalian Cortices
Published on: January 22, 2018
Apathy is related to cortex morphology in CADASIL. A sulcal-based morphometry study
E Jouvent1, S Reyes, J-F Mangin
1Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Lariboisière, 2 rue Ambroise Paré, Paris, France.
Neurology
|April 27, 2011
Summary
Apathy in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is linked to changes in frontal lobe cortical sulci morphology, not thickness. This suggests reduced cortical surface area contributes to apathy in CADASIL patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Apathy is a significant symptom in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL).
- The underlying pathophysiology of apathy in CADASIL is not well understood.
- Novel MRI postprocessing techniques focusing on cortical sulci offer a new approach to investigate neuroanatomic correlates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroanatomic basis of apathy in a large cohort of CADASIL patients.
- To utilize advanced MRI analysis of cortical sulci morphology (depth, width, thickness) in relation to apathy.
- To identify specific sulcal features associated with apathy in CADASIL.
Main Methods:
- 119 patients with genetically confirmed CADASIL underwent detailed MRI analysis.
- Cortical sulci morphology (depth, width, thickness) of 10 frontal lobe sulci were measured.
- Logistic regression models, adjusted for clinical and demographic factors, assessed associations between sulcal morphology and apathy.
Main Results:
- The depth of the posterior cingulate sulcus showed a significant association with apathy.
- Cortical sulci depth and width in mediofrontal and orbitofrontal regions were independently linked to apathy.
- Cortical thickness was not found to be significantly associated with apathy.
Conclusions:
- Apathy in CADASIL is associated with alterations in cortical morphology, specifically in frontal regions.
- The findings suggest reduced cortical surface area, indicated by sulcal changes, rather than cortical thinning, underlies apathy in CADASIL.
- These insights may guide future therapeutic strategies targeting apathy in neurodegenerative diseases.
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