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. 2019 Jun;266(6):1293-1302.
doi: 10.1007/s00415-018-9016-3. Epub 2018 Aug 17.

Magnetic resonance imaging in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment

Avinash Chandra  1 , George Dervenoulas  1 , Marios Politis  2 ; Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Affiliations

Magnetic resonance imaging in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment

Avinash Chandra et al. J Neurol. 2019 Jun.

Abstract

Research utilizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been crucial to the understanding of the neuropathological mechanisms behind and clinical identification of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MRI modalities show patterns of brain damage that discriminate AD from other brain illnesses and brain abnormalities that are associated with risk of conversion to AD from MCI and other behavioural outcomes. This review discusses the application of various MRI techniques to and their clinical usefulness in AD and MCI. MRI modalities covered include structural MRI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), arterial spin labelling (ASL), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and functional MRI (fMRI). There is much evidence supporting the validity of MRI as a biomarker for these disorders; however, only traditional structural imaging is currently recommended for routine use in clinical settings. Future research is needed to warrant the inclusion for more advanced MRI methodology in forthcoming revisions to diagnostic criteria for AD and MCI.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Magnetic resonance imaging; Mild cognitive impairment; Neuropathology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors of this manuscript have no conflicts of interests to disclose relevant to the current review.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
T1-weighted MRI imaging using an MPRAGE (Magnetisation Prepared Rapid Gradient Echo) sequence shows decreased GM volume in an AD patient compared to a healthy control and intermediate GM decline in a patient with MCI
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
T2-weighted MRI imaging using a FLAIR (Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery) sequence shows increased WMHs in an AD patient compared to a healthy control and intermediate levels of WMHs in a patient with MCI
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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