Diffusion tensor imaging of white matter degeneration in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.

摘要: Alzheimer's disease (AD) has traditionally been regarded as a of the gray matter (GM). However, advent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) contributed to new knowledge about how changes in white (WM) microstructure vivo may be directly related pathophysiology AD. It is now evident that WM heavily affected AD, even at early stages. Still, our degeneration AD poor compared what we know GM atrophy. For instance, it not clear if can independently degeneration, or whether mainly represent secondary effects atrophy, e.g. through Wallerian degeneration. In this paper, review recent studies using DTI study alterations These suggest microstructural affection pre-AD stages cannot completely accounted for by concomitant Further, research demonstrated relationships between increased cerebrospinal fluid levels Tau proteins and indexed DTI, which could indicate ongoing axonal damage. We conclude promising biomarker with potential also identify subgroups patients especially high degree affection, thereby contributing more differentiated diagnoses. validation are needed before realistic use information clinical practice individual patients.