Maja Ukmar MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Elisa Makuc MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Maria Luisa Onor MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Gabriele Garbin MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Marianna Trevisiol DPhil, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Maria Assunta Cova MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the white matter tissue damage in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and in patient with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

14 patients (3m, 11f, age range 69-87 years, mean age 81 years) with AD, 15 patients (4m, 11f, age range 59-83 years, mean age 72.6 years) with MCI and 18 volunteers (10m, 8f, age range 44-83, mean age 59,5) have been evaluated. In all of them a conventional and DTI (32 directions, b=1000 mm2/s) MR study were performed by using a 1.5 T magnet. The fractional anisotropy (FA) was evaluated in 10 regions: frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal lobe bilaterally and in the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum. The results obtained among the three groups were compared by using a non parametric test (Mann-Whitney).

A statistically significant difference (p<0.001) was obtained between controls, patients with MCI and patients with AD considering the FA of the white matter in the splenium of the corpus callosum. Moreover there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between volunteers and patients with AD considering the values obtained in the genu of the corpus callosum. Values in other areas showed no statistically significant differences between patients and volunteers.

DTI could be of value in the evaluation of the white matter of patients with AD and MCI.

DTI can be of value in the detection the white matter changes in an early stage where the conventional imaging is still negative.

Ukmar, M, Makuc, E, Onor, M, Garbin, G, Trevisiol, M, Cova, M, Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the White Matter in Patients with Alzheimer Disease and in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.  Radiological Society of North America 2006 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 1, 2006 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2006/4437100.html