Faculty Collaboration Database

Selective changes in white matter integrity in MCI and older adults with cognitive complaints. Biochim Biophys Acta 2012 Mar;1822(3):423-30

Date

08/27/2011

Pubmed ID

21867750

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3235544

DOI

10.1016/j.bbadis.2011.08.002

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84856066013 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   87 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: White matter changes measured using diffusion tensor imaging have been reported in Alzheimer's disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment, but changes in earlier pre-mild cognitive impairment stages have not been fully investigated.

METHODS: In a cross-sectional analysis, older adults with mild cognitive impairment (n=28), older adults with cognitive complaints but without psychometric impairment (n=29) and healthy controls (n=35) were compared. Measures included whole-brain diffusion tensor imaging, T1-weighted structural magnetic resonance imaging, and neuropsychological assessment. Diffusion images were analyzed using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics. Voxel-wise fractional anisotropy and mean, axial, and radial diffusivities were assessed and compared between groups. Significant tract clusters were extracted in order to perform further region of interest comparisons. Brain volume was estimated using FreeSurfer based on T1 structural images.

RESULTS: The mild cognitive impairment group showed lower fractional anisotropy and higher radial diffusivity than controls in bilateral parahippocampal white matter. When comparing extracted diffusivity measurements from bilateral parahippocampal white matter clusters, the cognitive complaint group had values that were intermediate to the mild cognitive impairment and healthy control groups. Group difference in diffusion tensor imaging measures remained significant after controlling for hippocampal atrophy. Across the entire sample, diffusion tensor imaging indices in parahippocampal white matter were correlated with memory function.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings are consistent with previous results showing changes in parahippocampal white matter in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment compared to controls. The intermediate pattern found in the cognitive complaint group suggests the potential of diffusion tensor imaging to contribute to earlier detection of neurodegenerative changes during prodromal stages. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Imaging Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative disease.

Author List

Wang Y, West JD, Flashman LA, Wishart HA, Santulli RB, Rabin LA, Pare N, Arfanakis K, Saykin AJ

Author

Yang Wang MD Professor in the Radiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Aged
Alzheimer Disease
Anisotropy
Atrophy
Brain
Cognition Disorders
Cognitive Dysfunction
Cross-Sectional Studies
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Female
Humans
Male
Memory
Nerve Fibers, Myelinated
Neuropsychological Tests