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Hippocampal subfield viscoelasticity in amnestic mild cognitive impairment evaluated with MR elastography
Peyton L Delgorio1, Lucy V Hiscox1, Grace McIlvain1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States.
Abstract:
Hippocampal subfields (HCsf) are brain regions important for memory function that are vulnerable to decline with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), which is often a preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease. Studies in aMCI patients often assess HCsf tissue integrity using measures of volume, which has little specificity to microstructure and pathology. We use magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to examine the viscoelastic mechanical properties of HCsf tissue, which is related to structural integrity, and sensitively detect differences in older adults with aMCI compared to an age-matched control group. Group comparisons revealed HCsf viscoelasticity is differentially affected in aMCI, with CA1-CA2 and DG-CA3 exhibiting lower stiffness and CA1-CA2 exhibiting higher damping ratio, both indicating poorer tissue integrity in aMCI. Including HCsf stiffness in a logistic regression improves classification of aMCI beyond measures of volume alone. Additionally, lower DG-CA3 stiffness predicted aMCI status regardless of DG-CA3 volume. These findings showcase the benefit of using MRE in detecting subtle pathological tissue changes in individuals with aMCI via the HCsf particularly affected in the disease.
Insights
Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) reveals altered mechanical properties in hippocampal subfields (HCsf) of individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). This technique offers a sensitive method for detecting early Alzheimer's disease pathology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Biophysics
- Neurology
Background:
- Hippocampal subfields (HCsf) are crucial for memory and vulnerable in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), a preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease.
- Current methods like volume measurement lack specificity for microstructural changes in HCsf.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in assessing the viscoelastic properties of HCsf.
- To determine if MRE can detect differences in tissue integrity in individuals with aMCI compared to controls.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) was employed to measure the viscoelastic mechanical properties of HCsf in adults with aMCI and age-matched controls.
- Group comparisons focused on stiffness and damping ratio within specific HCsf.
Main Results:
- Individuals with aMCI showed reduced HCsf stiffness (CA1-CA2, DG-CA3) and increased damping ratio (CA1-CA2), indicating compromised tissue integrity.
- HCsf stiffness improved the classification accuracy of aMCI beyond volume measurements.
- Lower DG-CA3 stiffness independently predicted aMCI status.
Conclusions:
- MRE is a sensitive tool for detecting subtle pathological changes in HCsf associated with aMCI.
- Viscoelastic properties offer a more specific measure of tissue integrity than volume alone for early Alzheimer's disease detection.
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