Neuroscience 2000 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 110.5 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Use of MRI magnetization transfer ratio to detect changes in the structural integrity of brain tissue in dementia of Alzheimer's type. |
| Authors: |
Kabani, N. J.*1
; Sled, J. G.2
; Chertkow, H.1
1Cognitive Neuroscience Labs, Lady Davis Institute, Montreal, Canada 2McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
J. Disorders of the Nervous System and Aging - 130. Degenerative disease: Alzheimer's-other |
| Session: |
110. Degenerative disease: Alzheimer's--other: imaging and others Slide |
| Presentation Time: | Sunday, November 5, 2000 2:00 PM-2:15 PM |
| Location: | Room 293 |
| Keywords: | Imaging, Brain, Neuroanatomy, Aging |
Magnetization transfer ratios (MTR) allow one to detect changes in myelin, cerebrosides and phospholipids of the brain that are otherwise not visible using conventional MRI. In this study, we applied MTR to detect changes in the structural integrity of the brain in patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT). 12 DAT patients (mean age 76) and 13 controls (mean age 75) were scanned with a protocol yielding whole brain T1-weighted and MTR datasets. Comparing the histograms of MTR between the two groups showed a drop in the number of high MTR voxels in the DAT group. This was characterized by a significant reduction (p<0.03) in the histogram peak height following correction for brain atrophy. The mean MTR for the whole brain (excluding the scalp, brainstem and cerebellum) was significantly lower (p<0.0001) in DAT (28.5 ± 0.29%) compared to control (30.4 ± 0.33%). Also, both hippocampi showed reduced MTR in DAT when compared with controls. This effect was more significant on the left (p=0.0001) than on the right (p=0.045). We attribute the reduction in MTR values seen in DAT to intrinsic changes in the structural integrity of the brain tissue. This measure is not affected by extrinsic brain atrophy. Regional analysis of hippocampus showed that the tissue characteristics of this region are more susceptible to change in the left hemisphere as compared to the right hemisphere.
Supported by Alzheimer's Research Foundation
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2000 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. New Orleans, LA: Society for Neuroscience, 2000. Online.
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