Earlier Alzheimer's Diagnosis Using Automated MRI Technique
By MedImaging staff writers Posted on 28 Jul 2008 |
Image: Color-enhanced coronal MRI image of the brain, showing the regions of the brain most severely affected in Alzheimer’s disease (Photo courtesy of Living Art Enterprises).
An automated system for measuring brain tissue combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help clinicians more effectively diagnose Alzheimer's disease (AD) at an earlier stage, according to new research.
In AD, nerve cell death and tissue loss cause all areas of the brain, particularly the hippocampus region, to shrink. Utilizing MRI with high spatial resolution allows radiologists to visualize slight anatomic changes in the brain that signal atrophy, or shrinkage. But the conventional practice for measuring brain tissue volume with MRI, called segmentation, is a complicated, lengthy process, according to the researchers, who published their study in the July 2008, issue of the journal Radiology.
"Visually evaluating the atrophy of the hippocampus is not only difficult and prone to subjectivity, it is time-consuming,” explained the study's lead author, Olivier Colliot, Ph.D, from the Cognitive Neuroscience and Brain Imaging Laboratory (Paris, France). "As a result, it hasn't become part of clinical routine.”
In the study, the researchers used an automated segmentation process with computer software developed in their laboratory by Marie Chupin, Ph.D., to measure the volume of the hippocampus in 25 patients with Alzheimer's disease, 24 patients with mild cognitive impairment, and 25 healthy older adults. The MRI volume measurements were then compared with those reported in studies of similar patient groups using the visual, or manual, segmentation method.
The researchers found a significant reduction in hippocampal volume in both the AD and cognitively impaired patients when compared to the healthy adults. Alzheimer's patients and those with mild cognitive impairment had a median volume loss in the hippocampus of 32% and 19%, respectively. Studies utilizing manual segmentation methods have reported similar results. "The performance of automated segmentation is not only similar to that of the manual method, it is much faster,” Dr. Colliot said. "It can be performed within a few minutes versus an hour.”
One of the goals of modern neuroimaging is to help in the early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, which can be challenging. When the disease is diagnosed early, drug treatment can help improve or stabilize patient symptoms. "Combined with other clinical and neuropsychological evaluations, automated segmentation of the hippocampus on MR images can contribute to a more accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease,” Dr. Colliot said.
Related Links:
Cognitive Neuroscience and Brain Imaging Laboratory
In AD, nerve cell death and tissue loss cause all areas of the brain, particularly the hippocampus region, to shrink. Utilizing MRI with high spatial resolution allows radiologists to visualize slight anatomic changes in the brain that signal atrophy, or shrinkage. But the conventional practice for measuring brain tissue volume with MRI, called segmentation, is a complicated, lengthy process, according to the researchers, who published their study in the July 2008, issue of the journal Radiology.
"Visually evaluating the atrophy of the hippocampus is not only difficult and prone to subjectivity, it is time-consuming,” explained the study's lead author, Olivier Colliot, Ph.D, from the Cognitive Neuroscience and Brain Imaging Laboratory (Paris, France). "As a result, it hasn't become part of clinical routine.”
In the study, the researchers used an automated segmentation process with computer software developed in their laboratory by Marie Chupin, Ph.D., to measure the volume of the hippocampus in 25 patients with Alzheimer's disease, 24 patients with mild cognitive impairment, and 25 healthy older adults. The MRI volume measurements were then compared with those reported in studies of similar patient groups using the visual, or manual, segmentation method.
The researchers found a significant reduction in hippocampal volume in both the AD and cognitively impaired patients when compared to the healthy adults. Alzheimer's patients and those with mild cognitive impairment had a median volume loss in the hippocampus of 32% and 19%, respectively. Studies utilizing manual segmentation methods have reported similar results. "The performance of automated segmentation is not only similar to that of the manual method, it is much faster,” Dr. Colliot said. "It can be performed within a few minutes versus an hour.”
One of the goals of modern neuroimaging is to help in the early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, which can be challenging. When the disease is diagnosed early, drug treatment can help improve or stabilize patient symptoms. "Combined with other clinical and neuropsychological evaluations, automated segmentation of the hippocampus on MR images can contribute to a more accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease,” Dr. Colliot said.
Related Links:
Cognitive Neuroscience and Brain Imaging Laboratory
Latest MRI News
- World's First Sensor Detects Errors in MRI Scans Using Laser Light and Gas
- Diamond Dust Could Offer New Contrast Agent Option for Future MRI Scans
- Combining MRI with PSA Testing Improves Clinical Outcomes for Prostate Cancer Patients
- PET/MRI Improves Diagnostic Accuracy for Prostate Cancer Patients
- Next Generation MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound Ushers In Future of Incisionless Neurosurgery
- Two-Part MRI Scan Detects Prostate Cancer More Quickly without Compromising Diagnostic Quality
- World’s Most Powerful MRI Machine Images Living Brain with Unrivaled Clarity
- New Whole-Body Imaging Technology Makes It Possible to View Inflammation on MRI Scan
- Combining Prostate MRI with Blood Test Can Avoid Unnecessary Prostate Biopsies
- New Treatment Combines MRI and Ultrasound to Control Prostate Cancer without Serious Side Effects
- MRI Improves Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer
- Combined PET-MRI Scan Improves Treatment for Early Breast Cancer Patients
- 4D MRI Could Improve Clinical Assessment of Heart Blood Flow Abnormalities
- MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound Therapy Shows Promise in Treating Prostate Cancer
- AI-Based MRI Tool Outperforms Current Brain Tumor Diagnosis Methods
- DW-MRI Lights up Small Ovarian Lesions like Light Bulbs