Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 22, 2026
Whole-brain Segmentation and Change-point Analysis of Anatomical Brain MRI—Application in Premanifest Huntington's Disease
Published on: June 9, 2018
Longitudinal changes in the brain in mild cognitive impairment: a magnetic resonance imaging study using the visual
Terhi Tuokkola1, Juha Koikkalainen2, Riitta Parkkola3
11 Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Abstract:
Background Brain atrophy is associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and by using volumetric and visual analyzing methods, it is possible to differentiate between individuals with progressive MCI (MCIp) and stable MCI (MCIs). Automated analysis methods detect degenerative changes in the brain earlier and more reliably than visual methods. Purpose To detect and evaluate structural brain changes between and within the MCIs, MCIp, and control groups during a two-year follow-up period. Material and Methods Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 11 participants with MCIs, 18 participants with MCIp, and 84 controls were analyzed by the visual rating method (VRM) and tensor-based morphometry (TBM). Results At baseline, both VRM and TBM differentiated the whole MCI group (combined MCIs and MCIp) and the MCIp group from the control group, but they did not differentiate the MCIs group from the control group. At follow-up, both methods differentiated the MCIp group from the control group, but minor differences between the MCIs and control groups were only seen by TBM. Neuropsychological tests did not find differences between the MCIs and control groups at follow-up. Neither method revealed relevant signs of brain atrophy progression within or between MCI subgroups during the follow-up time. Conclusion Both methods are equally good in the evaluation of structural brain changes in MCI if the groups are sufficiently large and the disease progresses to AD. Only TBM disclosed minor atrophic changes in the MCIs group compared to controls at follow-up. The results need to be confirmed with a large patient group and longer follow-up time.
Insights
Brain atrophy is linked to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Tensor-based morphometry (TBM) detected subtle brain changes in stable MCI patients compared to controls, unlike visual rating methods.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Brain atrophy is a known indicator of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
- Differentiating progressive MCI (MCIp) from stable MCI (MCIs) is crucial for prognosis.
- Automated neuroimaging analysis offers earlier and more reliable detection of brain changes than visual methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess structural brain changes in MCIs, MCIp, and control groups over two years.
- To compare the efficacy of visual rating methods (VRM) and tensor-based morphometry (TBM) in detecting these changes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of brain MRI scans from 11 MCIs, 18 MCIp, and 84 control participants.
- Utilized both visual rating method (VRM) and tensor-based morphometry (TBM) for volumetric and automated analysis.
- Two-year follow-up period to evaluate changes over time.
Main Results:
- At baseline, both VRM and TBM distinguished MCIp and the overall MCI group from controls, but not MCIs from controls.
- At follow-up, TBM detected minor atrophic changes in the MCIs group compared to controls, while VRM did not.
- Neither method showed significant brain atrophy progression within or between MCI subgroups during the follow-up.
Conclusions:
- VRM and TBM are comparable for evaluating structural brain changes in MCI when groups are large and progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD) is evident.
- TBM showed potential in detecting subtle atrophic changes in stable MCI patients.
- Further validation with larger cohorts and longer follow-up periods is recommended.
