Difference of Alzheimer's disease sub-groups using two features from intensity size zone matrix

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Biomarker Discovery
• Medical Image Analysis

Background:

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a significant global health challenge with unknown causes and treatments.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for AD research, with a focus on identifying imaging biomarkers.
• Texture analysis offers enhanced characterization of regions of interest (ROIs) by considering voxel intensity and position.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply texture analysis, specifically the Intensity Size Zone Matrix (ISZM), to MRI data.
• To compare Alzheimer's disease (AD), late mild cognitive impairment (LMCI), early mild cognitive impairment (EMCI), and normal control (NC) subjects.
• To identify texture-based imaging biomarkers for distinguishing between these cognitive groups.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Intensity Size Zone Matrix (ISZM) texture analysis method.
• Analyzed both hemispheres of the hippocampus in MRI scans.
• Computed intensity variability and size zone variability features from ISZM.

Main Results:

• Successfully distinguished between AD, LMCI, EMCI, and NC groups.
• Intensity variability and size zone variability features were key discriminators.
• Demonstrated the potential of ISZM for classifying cognitive states.

Conclusions:

• ISZM-based texture analysis is a promising method for differentiating AD and MCI from normal cognition.
• Hippocampal texture features derived from ISZM can serve as valuable imaging biomarkers.
• This approach may aid in early diagnosis and understanding of AD progression.