Free water derived by multi-shell diffusion MRI reflects tau/neuroinflammatory pathology in Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract

Introduction:

Free-water (FW) imaging, a new analysis method for diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can indicate neuroinflammation and degeneration. We evaluated FW in Alzheimer's disease (AD) using tau/inflammatory and amyloid positron emission tomography (PET).

Methods:

Seventy-one participants underwent multi-shell diffusion MRI, 18F-THK5351 PET, 11C-Pittsburgh compound B PET, and neuropsychological assessments. They were categorized into two groups: healthy controls (HCs) (n = 40) and AD-spectrum group (AD-S) (n = 31) using the Centiloid scale with amyloid PET and cognitive function. We analyzed group comparisons in FW and PET, correlations between FW and PET, and correlation analysis with neuropsychological scores.

Results:

In AD-S group, there was a significant positive correlation between FW and 18F-THK5351 in the temporal lobes. In addition, there were negative correlations between FW and cognitive function in the temporal lobe and cingulate gyrus, and negative correlations between 18F-THK5351 and cognitive function in the same regions.

Discussion:

FW imaging could be a biomarker for tau in AD alongside clinical correlations.

• Authors: Moto Nakaya, Noriko Sato, Hiroshi Matsuda, Norihide Maikusa, Yoko Shigemoto, Daichi Sone, Tensho Yamao, Masayo Ogawa, Yukio Kimura, Emiko Chiba, Masahiro Ohnishi, Koichi Kato, Kyoji Okita, Tadashi Tsukamoto, Yuma Yokoi, Masuhiro Sakata, Osamu Abe
• Journal: Alzheimer's & dementia (New York, N. Y.) (Alzheimers Dement (N Y)) Vol. 8 Issue 1 Pg. e12356 ( 2022) ISSN: 2352-8737 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 36304723 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2022 The Authors. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.