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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 1/2010

01-01-2010 | Original Article

Mapping brain morphological and functional conversion patterns in amnestic MCI: a voxel-based MRI and FDG-PET study

Authors: Silvia Morbelli, Arnoldo Piccardo, Giampiero Villavecchia, Barbara Dessi, Andrea Brugnolo, Alessandra Piccini, Anna Caroli, Giovanni Frisoni, Guido Rodriguez, Flavio Nobili

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Purpose

To reveal the morphological and functional substrates of memory impairment and conversion to Alzheimer disease (AD) from the stage of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).

Methods

Brain MRI and FDG-PET were performed in 20 patients with aMCI and 12 controls at baseline. During a mean follow-up of about 2 years, 9 patients developed AD (converters), and 11 did not (nonconverters). All images were processed with SPM2. FDG-PET and segmented grey matter (GM) images were compared in: (1) converters versus controls, (2) nonconverters versus controls, and (3) converters versus nonconverters.

Results

As compared to controls, converters showed lower GM density in the left parahippocampal gyrus and both thalami, and hypometabolism in the precuneus, posterior cingulate and superior parietal lobule in the left hemisphere. Hypometabolism was found in nonconverters as compared to controls in the left precuneus and posterior cingulated gyrus. As compared to nonconverters, converters showed significant hypometabolism in the left middle and superior temporal gyri.

Conclusion

The discordant topography between atrophy and hypometabolism reported in AD is already present at the aMCI stage. Posterior cingulate–precuneus hypometabolism seemed to be an early sign of memory deficit, whereas hypometabolism in the left temporal cortex marked the conversion to AD.
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Metadata
Title
Mapping brain morphological and functional conversion patterns in amnestic MCI: a voxel-based MRI and FDG-PET study
Authors
Silvia Morbelli
Arnoldo Piccardo
Giampiero Villavecchia
Barbara Dessi
Andrea Brugnolo
Alessandra Piccini
Anna Caroli
Giovanni Frisoni
Guido Rodriguez
Flavio Nobili
Publication date
01-01-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 1/2010
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-009-1218-6

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