Multimodal Voxel-Based Meta-Analysis of White Matter Abnormalities in Alzheimer's Disease
Rui-Hua Yin1, Lan Tan1,2,3, Yong Liu4
1Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
Abstract:
An increasing number of MRI investigations suggest that patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) show not only gray matter decreases but also white matter (WM) abnormalities, including WM volume (WMV) deficits and integrity disruption of WM pathways. In this study, we applied multimodal voxel-wise meta-analytical methods to study WMV and fractional anisotropy in AD. Fourteen studies including 723 participants (340 with AD and 383 controls) were involved. The meta-analysis was performed using effect size signed differential mapping. Significant WMV reductions were observed in bilateral inferior temporal gyrus, splenium of corpus callosum, right parahippocampal gyrus, and hippocampus. Decreased fractional anisotropy was identified mainly in left posterior limb of internal capsule, left anterior corona radiata, left thalamus, and left caudate nucleus. Significant decreases of both WMV and fractional anisotropy were found in left caudate nucleus, left superior corona radiata, and right inferior temporal gyrus. Most findings showed to be highly replicable in the jackknife sensitivity analyses. In conclusion, AD patients show widespread WM abnormalities mainly in bilateral structures related to advanced mental and nervous activities.
Insights
Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients exhibit widespread white matter (WM) abnormalities, including reduced white matter volume (WMV) and impaired fractional anisotropy. These changes impact brain regions crucial for cognitive functions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasingly associated with white matter (WM) abnormalities beyond gray matter loss.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies reveal deficits in WM volume (WMV) and disruptions in WM pathway integrity in AD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a multimodal voxel-wise meta-analysis investigating white matter volume (WMV) and fractional anisotropy (FA) in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Main Methods:
- Utilized effect size signed differential mapping for a meta-analysis of 14 studies involving 723 participants (340 with AD, 383 controls).
- Voxel-wise analysis focused on WMV and FA to identify consistent abnormalities in AD.
Main Results:
- Significant WMV reductions were found in the bilateral inferior temporal gyrus, splenium of the corpus callosum, right parahippocampal gyrus, and hippocampus.
- Decreased FA was identified in the left posterior limb of the internal capsule, left anterior corona radiata, left thalamus, and left caudate nucleus.
- Common areas of deficit for both WMV and FA included the left caudate nucleus, left superior corona radiata, and right inferior temporal gyrus.
Conclusions:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by extensive white matter (WM) abnormalities.
- These widespread WM changes, affecting both volume and integrity, are primarily located in bilateral brain structures vital for higher-level cognitive and nervous system functions.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment