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Updated: May 21, 2026
02:09
Multi-modal Pulmonary Imaging: Using Complementary Information from CT and Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI to Evaluate Lung Structure-Function
Published on: April 12, 2024
Brain structure and function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a multimodal cranial magnetic resonance
James W Dodd1, Ai Wern Chung, Martin D van den Broek
1Division of Clinical Science, Respiratory Medicine, St. George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom. jdodd@sgul.ac.uk
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is linked to brain changes. Patients with COPD show reduced white matter integrity and altered brain network activity, potentially impacting cognitive function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Neurology
Background:
- Brain pathology is an under-recognized systemic effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional MRI (rfMRI), assess white matter microstructure and gray matter functional activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate white matter integrity and functional brain network communication in COPD patients compared to controls.
- To determine if observed differences correlate with disease severity, cerebrovascular issues, or cognitive deficits.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional MRI (rfMRI) were performed on stable, nonhypoxemic COPD patients (n=25) and age-matched controls (n=25).
- Assessments included demographic data, COPD severity, stroke risk factors, and neuropsychological evaluations.
Main Results:
- COPD patients exhibited widespread reductions in white matter integrity (46% of tracts; P < 0.01).
- Six of seven resting-state networks showed increased functional gray matter activation in COPD patients (P < 0.01).
- DTI differences remained significant after controlling for stroke risk and smoking, unlike rfMRI findings. White matter and gray matter changes correlated with cognitive performance differences.
Conclusions:
- Stable, nonhypoxemic COPD is associated with reduced brain-wide white matter integrity and disturbed gray matter functional activation.
- These neuroimaging alterations may contribute to cognitive dysfunction in COPD patients.
- White matter integrity is independently affected by COPD, irrespective of smoking or cerebrovascular factors, suggesting potential mechanisms like COPD-related cerebral small vessel disease.
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