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Magnetic resonance imaging in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment

Avinash Chandra1, George Dervenoulas1, Marios Politis2

  • 1Neurodegeneration Imaging Group (NIG), Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, Camberwell, London, SE5 9NU, UK.

Journal of Neurology
|August 19, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) aids Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnosis by revealing brain damage patterns. Advanced MRI techniques show promise but require further research for routine clinical use.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Neurology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is vital for understanding Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
  • MRI reveals neuropathological mechanisms and aids clinical identification of AD and MCI.
  • Specific MRI patterns can differentiate AD from other brain conditions and predict MCI conversion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the application and clinical utility of various MRI techniques in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
  • To assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of different MRI modalities for AD and MCI.
  • To highlight the current and future role of MRI in the clinical management of AD and MCI.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing research on MRI applications in AD and MCI.
  • Discussion of multiple MRI modalities including structural MRI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), arterial spin labelling (ASL), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and functional MRI (fMRI).
  • Analysis of evidence supporting MRI as a biomarker for AD and MCI.

Main Results:

  • MRI modalities demonstrate patterns of brain damage characteristic of AD and predictive of MCI conversion.
  • Evidence supports the validity of MRI as a biomarker for AD and MCI.
  • Only traditional structural imaging is currently recommended for routine clinical use.

Conclusions:

  • Advanced MRI techniques show potential for diagnosing and monitoring AD and MCI.
  • Further research is necessary to validate advanced MRI methods for routine clinical adoption.
  • Future diagnostic criteria revisions for AD and MCI may incorporate advanced MRI methodologies.
Keywords:
Alzheimer’s diseaseMagnetic resonance imagingMild cognitive impairmentNeuropathology

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