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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Published in:

01-03-2008

Novel MRI techniques in the assessment of dementia

Authors: Stefan J. Teipel, Thomas Meindl, Lea Grinberg, Helmut Heinsen, Harald Hampel

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Special Issue 1/2008

Abstract

Introduction

Positive markers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have been established in MRI that may allow early detection of AD in at-risk groups. In the near future, these markers will be of high relevance for the selection of at-risk subjects in secondary preventive trials.

Methods

We describe the methodology and diagnostic value of manual volumetry of the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, automated voxel-based morphometry, cortical thickness measurement, basal forebrain volumetry and deformation-based morphometry, implementing multivariate statistics and machine learning algorithms to improve group separation and prediction of AD in at-risk groups. We also describe the methodological basis and results obtained in AD using the recently developed technique of diffusion tensor-based morphometry (DTI). This technique gives access to the integrity of subcortical fibre systems in the human brain.

Results

The best established structural biomarker of AD to date is hippocampus volume that already has been implemented as secondary endpoint in clinical trials on disease modification in AD. Automated approaches will gain an increasing role as endpoints of clinical trials in the near future given the interest in these techniques expressed by the regulatory authorities. DTI is still a developing field where analysis techniques are presently being devised to make optimal use of the multivariate data. Data on changes of fibre tract in preclinical AD are still limited, but the first results are promising in respect to a further enhancement of diagnostic accuracy by combining MRI and DTI.

Conclusion

Besides their diagnostic use, MRI and DTI will broaden our understanding of the pathophysiology of AD and the structural and functional basis of normal cognition.

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Title: Novel MRI techniques in the assessment of dementia
Authors: Stefan J. Teipel
Thomas Meindl
Lea Grinberg
Helmut Heinsen
Harald Hampel
Publication date: 01-03-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue Special Issue 1/2008
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-007-0703-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Novel MRI techniques in the assessment of dementia

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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