Microstructural white matter lesion in Alzheimer's disease：a diffusion tensor imaging study using vox- el-based analysis / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the microscopic changes of white matter and the relationship between white matter changes and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD) using voxel-based analysis of DTI. Methods Thirty-sev?en patients with probable AD,and 32 normal controls(NC) were all examined by MMSE scores, and underwent a diffusion tensor imaging. The value of FA changes and the correlations between FA and MMSE scores were investigated. Results FA reduction was detected in the right frontal, temporal and parietal lobes as well as the thalamus, the bilateral cingu?lum, corpus callosum, precuneus, inferior parietal lobule, inferior patieto gyrus, supramaginal gyrus and hippocampus in AD. FA values in the right cingulum, left corpus callosum, left inferior temporal gyrus and the bilateral inferior parietal lobule, inferior patieto gyrus and precuneus were significantly decreased in AD than in the health control groups (P<0.05, FWE corrected). There was a positive correlation between the values of FA and MMSE scores(P<0.001,uncorrect?ed). Conclusion AD patients have significant reduction of FA values in the specific regions. There is a positive correla?tion between white matter changes and impairments of cognitive function.