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Cortical phase changes in Alzheimer's disease at 7T MRI: a novel imaging marker

Sanneke van Rooden1, Maarten J Versluis2, Michael K Liem3

  • 1C.J. Gorter Center for High-Field MRI, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Alzheimer'S & Dementia : the Journal of the Alzheimer'S Association
|May 29, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

High-field MRI shows increased cortical phase shift in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, potentially reflecting early amyloid pathology. This finding suggests a new imaging biomarker for detecting Alzheimer's disease.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Neuropathology
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Postmortem studies suggest high-field MRI can visualize cerebral amyloid deposition.
  • Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the hypothesis that high-field MRI can visualize amyloid pathology in AD patients.
  • To evaluate T2*-weighted MRI as a potential biomarker for AD.

Main Methods:

  • 16 AD patients and 15 control subjects underwent 7-tesla T2*-weighted MRI.
  • Images were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively by measuring cortical and hippocampal phase shifts.
  • Statistical analysis compared MRI findings between AD patients and controls.

Main Results:

  • AD patients showed significantly increased cortical phase shifts in temporoparietal, frontal, and parietal regions (P < .005).
  • Increased phase shift correlated with lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores (r = -0.54, P < .05).

Conclusions:

  • Elevated cortical phase shift on 7-tesla T2*-weighted MRI may serve as a novel imaging biomarker for AD.
  • This biomarker could potentially detect early-stage amyloid pathology in Alzheimer's disease.
Keywords:
AD pathologyAlzheimer's diseaseBiomarkerBrain imagingHuman 7T MRIPhase changes

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