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Updated: Jul 4, 2025
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Investigating White Matter Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer Disease Using Diffusion-Based Neuroinflammation Imaging.
Qing Wang1, Suzanne E Schindler1, Gengsheng Chen1
1From the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (Q.W., G.C., N.S.M., A.M., S.F., Y.W., T.L.S.B.), Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center (Q.W., S.E.S., G.C., N.S.M., A.M., J.H., R.J.P., A.M.F., J.C.M., T.L.S.B.), Department of Neurology (S.E.S., J.H., C.C., A.M.F., J.C.M.), Department of Surgery (J.L.), Department of Biomedical Engineering (Z.S.), Department of Electrical and System Engineering (S.W., W.W., Y.W.), Department of Psychiatry (C.C.), Department of Pathology & Immunology (R.J.P.), Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (Y.W.), and Department of Neurosurgery (T.L.S.B.), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.
White matter neuroinflammation is altered before Alzheimer
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Alzheimer disease (AD) involves gray matter pathologies but white matter (WM) neuroinflammation is increasingly recognized as a key contributor.
- Understanding WM neuroinflammation's role across the AD continuum is crucial for early detection and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate white matter (WM) neuroinflammation in Alzheimer disease (AD) using neuroinflammation imaging (NII).
- To assess the association of WM neuroinflammation with AD pathologies (amyloid and tau) and cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a noninvasive diffusion MRI method (NII) to quantify hindered water ratio (HR), an index of WM neuroinflammation, in 310 older adults.
- Classified AD stages based on CSF Aβ42/Aβ40 and p-tau181 levels.
- Examined relationships between NII-HR, CSF biomarkers, and cognitive measures at voxel and regional levels.
Main Results:
- Individuals with early AD pathology (positive CSF Aβ42/Aβ40 and p-tau181) showed elevated WM neuroinflammation (HR) compared to controls.
- Elevated NII-HR was observed in posterior brain regions and tracts connecting anterior and posterior regions.
- Baseline NII-HR correlated negatively with CSF Aβ42/Aβ40, predicted cognitive decline, and correlated with cognitive scores.
Conclusions:
- WM neuroinflammation changes occur prior to clinical AD symptoms and interact with amyloid pathology.
- NII offers a promising noninvasive method for monitoring WM neuroinflammation in AD progression and evaluating treatment efficacy.
