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Decreased white matter integrity in neuropsychologically defined mild cognitive impairment is independent of cortical

Nikki H Stricker1, David H Salat, Jessica M Foley

  • 1Psychology Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA. stricker@bu.edu

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS
|July 2, 2013
PubMed

Insights

White matter changes in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may precede gray matter changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study suggests white matter integrity is a potential early biomarker for AD risk, independent of gray matter alterations.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Radiology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Understanding white matter changes in early Alzheimer's disease (AD) states like mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is crucial for preclinical detection.
  • The relationship between white matter alterations and gray matter changes in MCI remains debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate white matter integrity in individuals with MCI compared to normal controls (NC).
  • To determine if white matter changes in MCI are independent of gray matter changes.
  • To explore the association between white matter integrity and cognitive functions.

Main Methods:

  • Neuropsychological criteria were used to classify 32 MCI participants and 81 NC subjects.
  • High-resolution T1 and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scans were acquired.
  • Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) and region of interest (ROI) analyses were performed, controlling for cortical thickness.

Main Results:

  • The MCI group exhibited decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) in parietal white matter and white matter beneath the entorhinal and posterior cingulate cortices compared to NC.
  • These white matter changes were observed even after controlling for cortical thickness.
  • Medial temporal FA correlated with memory, and parietal FA correlated with executive functioning in the MCI group.

Conclusions:

  • White matter integrity may serve as an early biomarker for individuals at risk of developing AD.
  • White matter changes in MCI could be independent of gray matter alterations.
  • These findings support the role of DTI in identifying early AD-related neurodegeneration.

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