Spatial Imaging-Transcriptomic analysis reveals the Molecular Basis of diffusion MRI signature in mouse model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Motivation: While numerous studies noted the reduction of fractional anisotropy (FA) from diffusion MRI as a sensitive marker in Alzheimer's disease, the underlying biology remained elusive. Goal(s): We aimed to explore biological basis of DTI metrics by integrating diffusion MRI with spatial transcriptomic data from the same individual. Approach: We performed voxelwise correlation between the co-registered transcriptomic and MRI data and downstream enrichment analysis. Results: We revealed links to myelin, oligodendrocytes, and Alzheimer's-associated biological processes.These findings enhanced our understanding of changes of diffusion MRI in Alzheimer's disease. Impact: Spatial imaging-transcriptomic provides a certain level of biological evidence for the molecular processes underlying DTI signatures of Alzheimer’s disease. Similar approach can be applied to other types of MRI markers in different neurodegenerative diseases.