White Matter Damage in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease
Author Information
Author(s): O'Dwyer Laurence, Lamberton Franck, Bokde Arun L. W., Ewers Michael, Faluyi Yetunde O., Tanner Colby, Mazoyer Bernard, O'Neill Des, Bartley Máiréad, Collins D. Rónán, Coughlan Tara, Prvulovic David, Hampel Harald
Primary Institution: Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
Hypothesis
Areas of significant damage in MCI and AD would overlap with known networks compromised in AD.
Conclusion
The study found that early neurodegenerative changes in MCI can be detected with multiple indices of diffusion, highlighting distinct differences between amnestic and non-amnestic MCI subjects.
Supporting Evidence
- Significantly higher DA was found in MCIna subjects compared to healthy elders.
- Significantly higher DA was also found in MCIa subjects compared to healthy elders.
- Microstructural damage independent of gross tissue loss was widespread in later disease stages.
- DA and MD indices were most sensitive at detecting early changes in MCIa.
Takeaway
The study looked at brain scans to see how Alzheimer's disease affects white matter, which is important for memory. They found that changes in the brain can be detected early in people with memory problems.
Methodology
The study used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) to analyze brain scans from different groups of participants.
Limitations
The study had a low number of AD participants and did not include follow-up data to track progression to AD.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 40 healthy elders, 19 non-amnestic MCI subjects, 14 amnestic MCI subjects, and 9 AD patients.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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