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Posterior brain white matter abnormalities in older adults with probable mild cognitive impairment
Sarah A Cooley1, Ryan P Cabeen, David H Laidlaw
1a Department of Psychology , University of Missouri-Saint Louis , Saint Louis , MO , USA.
Objective:
Much of the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) neuroimaging literature has exclusively focused on regions associated with Alzheimer's disease. Little research has examined white matter abnormalities of other brain regions, including those associated with visual processing, despite evidence that other brain abnormalities appear in these regions in early disease stages.
Method:
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was utilized to examine participants (n = 44) that completed baseline imaging as part of a longitudinal healthy aging study. Participants were divided into two groups based on scores from the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a brief screening tool for MCI. Participants who scored <26 were defined as "probable MCI" while those who scored ≥26 were labeled cognitively healthy. Two DTI indices were analyzed including fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD). DTI values for white matter in the lingual gyrus, cuneus, pericalcarine, fusiform gyrus, and all four lobes were compared using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Regression analyses examined the relationship between DTI indices and total MoCA score.
Results:
RESULTS revealed significantly lower FA in the probable MCI group in the cuneus, fusiform, pericalcarine, and occipital lobe, and significantly higher MD in the temporal lobe. Fusiform FA and temporal lobe MD were significantly related to total MoCA score after accounting for age and education.
Conclusions:
RESULTS indicate that there are posterior white matter microstructural changes in individuals with probable MCI. These differences demonstrate that white matter abnormalities are evident among individuals with probable MCI in regions beyond those commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease and anterior brain aging patterns.
Insights
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is linked to white matter changes in visual processing areas, not just Alzheimer's-related regions. These microstructural differences in posterior brain regions are detectable using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Existing research on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) neuroimaging primarily focuses on Alzheimer's disease-associated regions.
- Limited investigation exists regarding white matter abnormalities in visual processing areas, despite their potential involvement in early disease stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate white matter microstructural differences in probable MCI using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
- To explore abnormalities in posterior brain regions beyond those typically studied in Alzheimer's disease.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to analyze white matter integrity in 44 participants from a healthy aging study.
- Participants were categorized as probable MCI (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA] score <26) or cognitively healthy (MoCA score ≥26).
- Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were analyzed in specific brain regions, including the lingual gyrus, cuneus, pericalcarine, fusiform gyrus, and all four lobes.
Main Results:
- Probable MCI participants showed significantly lower FA in the cuneus, fusiform, pericalcarine, and occipital lobe.
- Higher MD was observed in the temporal lobe of the probable MCI group.
- Fusiform FA and temporal lobe MD were significantly correlated with total MoCA scores, even after adjusting for age and education.
Conclusions:
- Posterior white matter microstructural changes are evident in individuals with probable MCI.
- These findings highlight white matter abnormalities in regions beyond those traditionally linked to Alzheimer's disease and anterior brain aging.
- DTI can detect subtle white matter alterations in MCI, suggesting broader neurobiological changes than previously recognized.
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