Neuroscience 2005 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 585.1 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease in the hippocampus and temporal stem with diffusion-weighted MRI. |
| Authors: |
Bendlin, B.*1
; Valfre, M.1
; Sarlls, J.1
; Marquine, M.1
; Kim, H.1
; Coull, B.1
; Trouard, T.1
; Rapcsak, S.1
; Glisky, E.1
; Ryan, L.1
1Cognition and Neuroimaging Laboratories, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Disorders of the Nervous System - Neurotoxicity, Inflammation, and Neuroprotection -- Neuroinflammation |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Cognition and Behavior<br />- Human Cognition, Behavior, and Anatomy<br />-- Cognitive aging |
| Session: |
585. Neuroinflammation Slide |
| Presentation Time: | Tuesday, November 15, 2005 8:00 AM-8:15 AM |
| Location: | Washington Convention Center - Room 149A |
| Keywords: | AGING, WHITE MATTER, APOE, FAMILY HISTORY |
Objective: Evidence suggests that inflammatory processes may cause neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This project assessed a new diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging method, DIFRAD-FSE, in identifying early markers of AD in individuals at risk. DIFRAD can be used to evaluate inflammation and is useful for assessing white matter (WM) integrity. Methods: Subjects were 32 adults (66-87 yrs): 16 with risk for AD and 16 without. Risk was defined as presence of the APOE e4 allele, and/or by presence of a 1st order relative with probable AD. A neuropsychological test battery yielded 2 composite scores for memory and executive function. Using a 3T scanner, 14 coronal sections were acquired from the medial temporal lobe (MTL). Fractional Anisotropy (FA) and Average Diffusion Coefficients (ADC) were determined for: splenium of the corpus callosum, WM of the temporal stem (TStem), and hippocampus (HC). We predicted a drop in brain integrity (increased ADC and decreased FA) in subjects with risk. Results: Significantly decreased FA in TStem and HC was related to risk. ADC was not related to risk; however, ADC in TStem and HC predicted memory and executive function, especially in the HC. In HC, memory decline was associated with increased ADC (r = -.49) and executive decline was associated with decreased FA (r = -.35). This relationship was specific to MTL: ADC in splenium did not predict cognitive function. Conclusions: These results indicate that DIFRAD may be useful for assessing brain changes in people at risk for Alzheimer's. DIFRAD may be able to identify individuals who can benefit from early pharmaceutical intervention before brain degeneration results in cognitive decline. The hippocampus and temporal stem in particular may be susceptible to earlier changes than other regions. Diffusion measures in MTL may also predict cognitive change in older adults, regardless of risk.
Supported by Arizona Disease Control Research Commission, State of Arizona
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2005 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2005. Online.
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