Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
Application of Granger Causality Analysis of the Directed Functional Connection in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: August 7, 2017
Alterations in Gray Matter Structural Networks in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Source-Based Morphometry
Tania M Setiadi1, Jan-Bernard C Marsman1, Sander Martens1
1Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, Cognitive Neuroscience Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Background:
Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), considered as the prodromal stage of Alzheimer's disease, is characterized by isolated memory impairment and cerebral gray matter volume (GMV) alterations. Previous structural MRI studies in aMCI have been mainly based on univariate statistics using voxel-based morphometry.
Objective:
We investigated structural network differences between aMCI patients and cognitively normal older adults by using source-based morphometry, a multivariate approach that considers the relationship between voxels of various parts of the brain.
Methods:
Ninety-one aMCI patients and 80 cognitively normal controls underwent structural MRI and neuropsychological assessment. Spatially independent components (ICs) that covaried between participants were estimated and a multivariate analysis of covariance was performed with ICs as dependent variables, diagnosis as independent variable, and age, sex, education level, and site as covariates.
Results:
aMCI patients exhibited reduced GMV in the precentral, temporo-cerebellar, frontal, and temporal network, and increased GMV in the left superior parietal network compared to controls (pFWER < 0.05, Holm-Bonferroni correction). Moreover, we found that diagnosis, more specifically aMCI, moderated the positive relationship between occipital network and Mini-Mental State Examination scores (pFWER < 0.05, Holm-Bonferroni correction).
Conclusions:
Our results showed GMV alterations in temporo-fronto-parieto-cerebellar networks in aMCI, extending previous results obtained with univariate approaches.
Insights
Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) shows altered brain gray matter volume (GMV) in widespread networks. This study used source-based morphometry to reveal these structural differences in aMCI patients compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is a precursor to Alzheimer's disease, marked by memory deficits and brain gray matter volume (GMV) changes.
- Prior research on aMCI primarily used univariate voxel-based morphometry for structural MRI analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate structural network differences in aMCI using source-based morphometry, a multivariate approach.
- To compare brain structure between aMCI patients and cognitively normal older adults.
Main Methods:
- Structural MRI and neuropsychological assessments were conducted on 91 aMCI patients and 80 controls.
- Source-based morphometry was employed to estimate spatially independent components (ICs) and analyze covariance.
- Multivariate analysis of covariance controlled for age, sex, education, and site.
Main Results:
- aMCI patients displayed reduced GMV in precentral, temporo-cerebellar, frontal, and temporal networks.
- Increased GMV was observed in the left superior parietal network in aMCI patients.
- Diagnosis moderated the relationship between the occipital network and Mini-Mental State Examination scores in aMCI.
Conclusions:
- GMV alterations in temporo-fronto-parieto-cerebellar networks are evident in aMCI.
- These findings expand upon previous univariate analyses of brain structure in aMCI.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
01:22Dementia l: Introduction