Alterations of White Matter Microstructure in Primary Aldosteronism Patients With Normal Cognitive Functioning Using...

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Endocrinology
• Neurology

Background:

• Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a condition linked to cardiovascular and renal issues.
• Cognitive function in PA patients is often studied, but underlying white matter changes are less understood.
• Early detection of brain alterations in PA is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate white matter microstructural alterations in primary aldosteronism (PA) patients with normal cognitive function.
• To utilize diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to identify subtle changes in brain white matter.
• To explore potential early imaging biomarkers for PA-related neurological complications.

Main Methods:

• Recruited PA patients and healthy controls (HCs).
• Acquired T1-weighted MRI and DTI data from all participants.
• Calculated fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD), and mean diffusivity (MD) using the Johns Hopkins University white matter atlas.

Main Results:

• PA patients exhibited increased AD in the cingulum bundle, forceps minor, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculi, and temporo-superior longitudinal fasciculus.
• Elevated RD was observed in the left inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus and right superior longitudinal fasciculus.
• Increased MD was found in the forceps minor, bilateral inferior fronto-occipital fasciculi, and right superior longitudinal fasciculus.

Conclusions:

• Compensatory white matter alterations are present in PA patients prior to the onset of cognitive impairment.
• These DTI-derived alterations may serve as early imaging biomarkers for PA-related brain dysfunction.
• Advanced neuroimaging techniques like DTI are vital for the early diagnosis and management of PA.