Characteristics of Cerebral Blood Flow and Cerebral Gray Matter in Patients with Mild Alzheimer's Disease Using Voxel-based Method / 中国医学影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Purpose Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is lack of objective imaging marker.This study evaluates characteristics of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and gray matter atrophy in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) by using 3D arterial spin labeling (3D ASL) and thin slice 3D T1 weighted images of voxel-based method (VBM).Materials and Methods Sixteen mild AD patients (mild AD group) and sixteen normal control subjects (control group) were recruited.3D ASL and T1WI SPGR sequences were performed.By using voxel-based method,the whole brain CBF and T1WI images were analyzed.CBF and volume of gray matter were compared between two groups,and correlation analysis was done.Results Compared with control group,CBF hypoperfusion was detected in bilateral precuneus,cunei,middle temporal cortex,superior temporalcortex,left parahippocampal gyrus,left superior temporal pole and right superioroccipital gyrus in mild AD group (t=3.84,Pcorrected＜0.05).Compared with control group,gray matter atrophy was found in bilateral hippocampi,amygdalae,superior temporal pole,left parahippocampal gyrus,left inferior temporal cortex in mild AD group (t=4.12,Pcorrected＜0.05).There was a correlation in left parahippocampal gyrus and left upper pole of the temporal between changes of CBF and volume of gray matter in mild AD patients (r=0.50,P＜0.05).Conclusion Voxel-based VBM and ASL can evaluate AD patients' cerebral atrophy and CBF change in early stage,and there is a correlation between changes of CBF and gray matter atrophy in some overlap areas.