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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

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Open Access 01-03-2022 | Positron Emission Tomography | Original Article

Mapping covariance in brain FDG uptake to structural connectivity

Authors: Igor Yakushev, Isabelle Ripp, Min Wang, Alex Savio, Michael Schutte, Aldana Lizarraga, Borjana Bogdanovic, Janine Diehl-Schmid, Dennis M. Hedderich, Timo Grimmer, Kuangyu Shi

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 4/2022

Abstract

Purpose

Inter-subject covariance of regional 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET measures (FDG_cov) as proxy of brain connectivity has been gaining an increasing acceptance in the community. Yet, it is still unclear to what extent FDG_cov is underlied by actual structural connectivity via white matter fiber tracts. In this study, we quantified the degree of spatial overlap between FDG_cov and structural connectivity networks.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed neuroimaging data from 303 subjects, both patients with suspected neurodegenerative disorders and healthy individuals. For each subject, structural magnetic resonance, diffusion tensor imaging, and FDG-PET data were available. The images were spatially normalized to a standard space and segmented into 62 anatomical regions using a probabilistic atlas. Sparse inverse covariance estimation was employed to estimate FDG_cov. Structural connectivity was measured by streamline tractography through fiber assignment by continuous tracking.

Results

For the whole brain, 55% of detected connections were found to be convergent, i.e., present in both FDG_cov and structural networks. This metric for random networks was significantly lower, i.e., 12%. Convergent were 80% of intralobe connections and only 30% of interhemispheric interlobe connections.

Conclusion

Structural connectivity via white matter fiber tracts is a relevant substrate of FDG_cov, underlying around a half of connections at the whole brain level. Short-range white matter tracts appear to be a major substrate of intralobe FDG_cov connections.

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Title: Mapping covariance in brain FDG uptake to structural connectivity
Authors: Igor Yakushev
Isabelle Ripp
Min Wang
Alex Savio
Michael Schutte
Aldana Lizarraga
Borjana Bogdanovic
Janine Diehl-Schmid
Dennis M. Hedderich
Timo Grimmer
Kuangyu Shi
Publication date: 01-03-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Positron Emission Tomography
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 4/2022
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-021-05590-y

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Mapping covariance in brain FDG uptake to structural connectivity

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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