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Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
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Longitudinal Diffusion Tensor Imaging Shows Progressive Changes in White Matter in Huntington's Disease
Sarah Gregory1, James H Cole2,3, Ruth E Farmer4
1Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, UCL, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
Journal of Huntington'S Disease
|January 13, 2016
Summary
Subtle white matter changes occur in early Huntington's disease (HD). Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) revealed differences in brain structure, suggesting non-uniform progression of HD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Huntington's disease (HD) involves progressive neuroanatomical changes impacting symptoms.
- Previous studies noted white matter atrophy and some microstructural changes in the corpus callosum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize longitudinal white matter microstructural changes in early HD.
- Utilized Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) over 15 months and three timepoints.
Main Methods:
- Examined 48 early-stage HD patients and 36 controls from the PADDINGTON project.
- Measured fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) in 24 white matter regions-of-interest (ROIs).
Main Results:
- HD patients showed decreased FA and increased AD/RD at baseline across multiple ROIs.
- Significant longitudinal differences in FA and diffusivity were observed in the corpus callosum, corona radiata, and internal capsule.
- Radial diffusivity change in the corpus callosum correlated with baseline disease burden.
Conclusions:
- Detected subtle longitudinal white matter changes in early HD.
- White matter abnormalities in HD may not be uniform, with some brain areas stable early on.
- Longer studies are needed to map the progressive trajectory across disease stages.
