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Published on: April 14, 2014
MRI markers for mild cognitive impairment: comparisons between white matter integrity and gray matter volume
Yu Zhang1, Norbert Schuff, Monica Camacho
1Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California, United States of America. Yu.Zhang@ucsf.edu
Abstract:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the value of assessing white matter integrity using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for classification of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and prediction of cognitive impairments in comparison to brain atrophy measurements using structural MRI. Fifty-one patients with MCI and 66 cognitive normal controls (CN) underwent DTI and T1-weighted structural MRI. DTI measures included fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (DR) from 20 predetermined regions-of-interest (ROIs) in the commissural, limbic and association tracts, which are thought to be involved in Alzheimer's disease; measures of regional gray matter (GM) volume included 21 ROIs in medial temporal lobe, parietal cortex, and subcortical regions. Significant group differences between MCI and CN were detected by each MRI modality: In particular, reduced FA was found in splenium, left isthmus cingulum and fornix; increased DR was found in splenium, left isthmus cingulum and bilateral uncinate fasciculi; reduced GM volume was found in bilateral hippocampi, left entorhinal cortex, right amygdala and bilateral thalamus; and thinner cortex was found in the left entorhinal cortex. Group classifications based on FA or DR was significant and better than classifications based on GM volume. Using either DR or FA together with GM volume improved classification accuracy. Furthermore, all three measures, FA, DR and GM volume were similarly accurate in predicting cognitive performance in MCI patients. Taken together, the results imply that DTI measures are as accurate as measures of GM volume in detecting brain alterations that are associated with cognitive impairment. Furthermore, a combination of DTI and structural MRI measurements improves classification accuracy.
Insights
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures white matter integrity, showing similar accuracy to gray matter (GM) volume in detecting cognitive impairment. Combining DTI and MRI enhances classification of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnosis relies on detecting subtle brain changes.
- Structural MRI measures brain atrophy, while Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) assesses white matter integrity.
- Comparing these MRI techniques is crucial for accurate MCI classification and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic and predictive value of DTI for MCI compared to structural MRI.
- To assess white matter integrity using fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (DR).
- To compare DTI with gray matter (GM) volume measurements for classifying MCI.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-one MCI patients and 66 cognitive normal (CN) controls underwent DTI and structural MRI.
- DTI metrics (FA, DR) and regional GM volumes were analyzed in specific brain regions.
- Classification accuracy and prediction of cognitive performance were compared between modalities.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in FA, DR, and GM volume were found between MCI and CN groups.
- DTI measures (FA, DR) provided better classification accuracy than GM volume alone.
- Combining DTI with GM volume further improved classification accuracy.
- FA, DR, and GM volume were similarly accurate in predicting cognitive performance in MCI.
Conclusions:
- DTI measures are as effective as GM volume in detecting brain alterations associated with cognitive impairment.
- DTI offers valuable insights into white matter integrity for MCI assessment.
- Combining DTI and structural MRI enhances the accuracy of MCI classification and prediction.
