High-Resolution DTI Cortical Column Analysis for Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease in High-Risk Pre-Symptomatic Subjects

Motivation: Microstructural changes in cortical gray matter, occurring potentially well before cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), could serve as an early diagnosis biomarker. Goal(s): We use high-resolution diffusion tensor imaging to identify such changes among AD subjects, cognitively normal but high-risk (APOE4+) subjects, and healthy controls (APOE4-). Approach: The variation in fractional anisotropy along cortical columns was analyzed within 68 regions. Results: 20 regions exhibited a lower variation in the high-risk group compared to the control group. The AD risks of individual high-risk subjects could be further differentiated based on similarities and differences with the AD or control groups. Impact: Our cortical column-based analysis of high-resolution diffusion tensor imaging data can detect microstructural changes within specific cortical regions of pre-symptomatic subjects with high risk for Alzheimer’s disease, potentially providing a more definitive biomarker for its early diagnosis and treatment.