Toshiteru Miyasaka MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Toshiaki Taoka MD, Abstract Co-Author: Consultant, Radiology Resources International LLC

Suradech Suthiphosuwan MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Saeka Hori, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Masahiko Sakamoto MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kimihiko Kichikawa MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Takeshi Wada MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Although cerebellum is not a primary focus of pathological change in Alzheimer's disease (AD), deposition of amyloid plaques and increased microglia have been reported to be found in the cerebellum of AD. The purpose of the current study is to depict the changes in cerebellar white matter by using diffusion tensor image. We measured diffusivity and fractional anisotropy (FA) of the cerebellar peduncles, in order to evaluate efferent pathway (superior cerebellar peduncle: SCP) and afferent pathway (middle cerebellar peduncle: MCP) of the cerebellum separately.

We have obtained the approval of institutional review board. The subjects were 19 cases with Alzheimer disease and 5 cases of age matched controls. AD cases included 7 severe (MMSE: less than 11), 5 intermediate (MMSE: 11-19) and 6 mild cases (MMSE: 20-22). Diffusion tensor images were obtained using a single shot echo planar sequence. Tractographies of superior cerebellar peduncle (SCP) and middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) were constructed. We measured FA and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the SCP and MCP. We made statistical analysis (t-test) between control and AD groups.

Mean FA values along SCP of severe AD/ intermediate AD/ mild AD/ control were 0.48/0.54/0.56/0.58 respectively. Statistically significant difference were not shown. While, mean FA of MCP were 0.42/0.50/0.52/0.52 respectively. There was statistically significant differences (p<0.01) between severe AD and control. Mean ADC (x10-3 sec/mm2) along SCP were 0.58/0.55/0.55/0.54 respectively. Statistically significant difference were not shown. While, mean ADC of MCP were 0.49/0.42/0.42/0.41 respectively. There was also statistically significant differences (p<0.01) between severe AD and control.

Decreased FA and increased ADC were observed in the MCP of the severe AD group. Thus, white matter changes of cerebellum at the afferent pathway in the cases with severe cognitive impairment by AD were suggested. The result will be one of supportive findings to indicate that cerebellum plays some role in cognitive function.

Evaluation of white matter changes of cerebellum using diffusion tensor image will bring additional information in assessment of Alzheimer's disease patients especially in the severe cases.

Miyasaka, T, Taoka, T, Suthiphosuwan, S, Hori, S, Sakamoto, M, Kichikawa, K, Wada, T, Cerebellar White Matter Involvement in Alzheimer's Disease: Diffusion Tensor Study.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14045714.html