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Updated: Nov 18, 2025
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Widespread white matter aberration is associated with the severity of apathy in amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment:
Tania M Setiadi1, Sander Martens1, Esther M Opmeer2
1Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Apathy is recognized as a prevalent behavioral symptom of amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI). In aMCI, apathy is associated with an increased risk and increases the risk of progression to Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Previous DTI study in aMCI showed that apathy has been associated with white matter alterations in the cingulum, middle and inferior longitudinal fasciculus, fornix, and uncinate fasciculus. However, the underlying white matter correlates associated with apathy in aMCI are still unclear. We investigated this relationship using whole-brain diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Twenty-nine aMCI patients and 20 matched cognitively healthy controls were included. Apathy severity was assessed using the Apathy Evaluation Scale Clinician version. We applied the tract-based spatial statistics analyses to DTI parameters: fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity to investigate changes in white matter pathways associated with the severity of apathy. No significant difference was found in any of the DTI parameters between aMCI and the control group. In aMCI, higher severity of apathy was associated with lower FA in various white matter pathways including the left anterior part of inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus/uncinate fasciculus, genu and body of the corpus callosum, superior and anterior corona radiata, anterior thalamic radiation of both hemispheres and in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus/anterior segment of arcuate fasciculus (p < .05, TFCE-corrected) after controlling for age, gender and GDS non-apathy. A trend association was observed in the right posterior corona radiata and corticospinal tract/internal capsule, and bilateral forceps minor (p < .065, TFCE-corrected). In conclusion, in aMCI, severity of apathy is associated with aberrant white matter integrity in widely distributed pathways, within and between hemispheres.
Insights
Apathy in mild cognitive impairment is linked to widespread white matter damage. This study reveals reduced white matter integrity in various brain pathways, suggesting a connection between apathy severity and brain connectivity changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Apathy is a common symptom in amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI), increasing the risk of progression to Alzheimer's Disease (AD).
- Previous studies suggest white matter alterations in specific pathways in aMCI patients with apathy, but the full extent remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the whole-brain white matter integrity correlates of apathy severity in aMCI using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
- To identify specific white matter pathways associated with apathy in aMCI.
Main Methods:
- Whole-brain DTI was performed on 29 aMCI patients and 20 healthy controls.
- Tract-based spatial statistics analyzed fractional anisotropy (FA) and diffusivity parameters.
- Apathy severity was measured using the Apathy Evaluation Scale Clinician version.
Main Results:
- No significant overall DTI differences were found between aMCI patients and controls.
- In aMCI, higher apathy severity correlated with lower FA in multiple white matter pathways, including the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, corpus callosum, corona radiata, and thalamic radiations.
- Trends for association were observed in the posterior corona radiata, corticospinal tract, and forceps minor.
Conclusions:
- Apathy severity in aMCI is associated with compromised white matter integrity across widely distributed pathways.
- These findings highlight the extensive impact of apathy on brain structural connectivity in aMCI.
