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Self-supervised learning for accurately modelling hierarchical evolutionary patterns of cerebrovasculature
Bin Guo1,2, Ying Chen2,3, Jinping Lin1
1Xiamen Key Laboratory of Psychoradiology and Neuromodulation, Department of Radiology, West China Xiamen Hospital of Sichuan University, Xiamen, China.
Nature Communications
|October 25, 2024
Summary
This study introduces a new method to track brain arterial and cortical volumes over time. It reveals significant volume reductions in Alzheimer
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Vascular Biology
- Neurology
Background:
- Cerebrovascular abnormalities are key indicators of neurological conditions such as stroke and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- Understanding the typical changes in brain vasculature over time is crucial for early detection and intervention.
- Current research lacks comprehensive models for the joint evolution of cortical and arterial volumes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel pipeline for analyzing the joint evolution of cortical volumes (CVs) and arterial volumes (AVs).
- To establish normative models of CVs and AVs across hierarchical brain regions in a large cohort.
- To investigate the impact of aging, Alzheimer's disease, and stroke on these brain structures.
Main Methods:
- Utilized advanced deep learning techniques for precise vessel segmentation.
- Analyzed data from a large cohort of 2841 individuals.
- Developed spatially hierarchical normative models for CVs and AVs.
Main Results:
- Established normative models showing general age-related decline in AVs, with specific regional variations (e.g., circle of Willis).
- Identified significant reductions in both CVs and AVs in individuals with AD and stroke compared to healthy controls.
- Observed the most pronounced volumetric reductions in patients with AD, indicating a severe impact on brain structure.
- Discovered gender-specific patterns in brain volume changes.
Conclusions:
- The proposed pipeline offers a novel approach to quantify cerebrovascular and cortical volume changes.
- Findings highlight significant alterations in brain vasculature associated with aging, AD, and stroke.
- The study provides critical insights into gender-specific effects and the structural impact of these diseases, informing future clinical assessments.
