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Longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging in frontotemporal dementia

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posted on 2023-06-09, 20:22 authored by Colin J Mahoney, Ivor SimpsonIvor Simpson, Jennifer M Nicholas, Phillip D Fletcher, Laura E Downey, Hannah L Golden, Camilla N Clark, Nicole Schmitz, Jonathan D Rohrer, Jonathan M Schott, Hui Zhang, Sebastian Ourselin, Jason D Warren, Nick C Fox
OBJECTIVE: Novel biomarkers for monitoring progression in neurodegenerative conditions are needed. Measurement of microstructural changes in white matter (WM) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) may be a useful outcome measure. Here we report trajectories of WM change using serial DTI in a cohort with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). METHODS: Twenty-three patients with bvFTD (12 having genetic mutations), and 18 age-matched control participants were assessed using DTI and neuropsychological batteries at baseline and ~1.3 years later. Baseline and follow-up DTI scans were registered using a groupwise approach. Annualized rates of change for DTI metrics, neuropsychological measures, and whole brain volume were calculated. DTI metric performances were compared, and sample sizes for potential clinical trials were calculated. RESULTS: In the bvFTD group as a whole, rates of change in fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) within the right paracallosal cingulum were greatest (FA: -6.8%/yr, p < 0.001; MD: 2.9%/yr, p = 0.01). MAPT carriers had the greatest change within left uncinate fasciculus (FA: -7.9%/yr, p < 0.001; MD: 10.9%/yr, p < 0.001); sporadic bvFTD and C9ORF72 carriers had the greatest change within right paracallosal cingulum (sporadic bvFTD, FA: -6.7%/yr, p < 0.001; MD: 3.8%/yr, p = 0.001; C9ORF72, FA: -6.8%/yr, p = 0.004). Sample size estimates using FA change were substantially lower than neuropsychological or whole brain measures of change. INTERPRETATION: Serial DTI scans may be useful for measuring disease progression in bvFTD, with particular trajectories of WM damage emerging. Sample size calculations suggest that longitudinal DTI may be a useful biomarker in future clinical trials.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Annals of Neurology

ISSN

1531-8249

Publisher

Wiley

Issue

1

Volume

77

Page range

33-46

Pages

14.0

Department affiliated with

  • Informatics Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Data Science Research Group Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2020-01-24

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2020-01-24

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2020-01-24