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P2–288: Longitudinal quantitative MRI R2 relaxometry in elderly participants reporting memory loss: A useful tool for the monitoring of dementia onset?
Author(s) -
Foster Jonathan K.,
House Michael J.,
St Pierre Timothy G.,
Martins Ralph N.,
Clarnette Roger,
Ricci Jodie
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2006.05.1127
Subject(s) - dementia , neurocognitive , cognition , psychology , neuropsychology , magnetic resonance imaging , cognitive decline , relaxometry , hippocampus , audiology , medicine , putamen , neuroscience , pathology , radiology , disease , spin echo
Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be applied as a useful, non-invasive tool for characterizing, in vivo, the neurological changes associated with age-related memory loss and dementia. The transverse proton relaxation rate, R2, is an MRI parameter affected by changes in both brain iron concentration and water content. Objective(s): The objective of this pilot study was to assess longitudinal changes in R2 measured in elderly participants with mild-severe levels of cognitive impairment, and to determine the degree to which any changes in R2 signal over time were associated with changes in cognitive functioning. Methods: Six elderly participants reporting memory problems underwent two 1.5T MRI scans 12 to 24 months apart, with neuropsychological testing taking place in close temporal proximity to the scans outside the magnet. R2 data were collected from 14 brain regions in all participants. Correlations between annualized percentage changes in R2 values and annualized changes in cognitive scores were assessed. Conclusions: There were significant negative correlations between cognitive changes and R2 changes in the right temporal cortex and left hippocampus. In contrast, there were significant positive correlations between cognitive changes and R2 changes in the left temporal and parahippocampal cortex and in the right internal capsule, thalamus and putamen. These findings suggest that in vivo quantitative changes in R2 may be capable of characterizing neurological processes associated with age-related cognitive decline. Specifically, this technique may offer a useful tool for the monitoring of neurocognitive changes associated with the onset of dementia.