Dataset Information

Microstructural integrity of white matter tracts amongst older fallers: A DTI study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study assesses the whole brain microstructural integrity of white matter tracts (WMT) among older individuals with a history of falls compared to non-fallers.

Methods

85 participants (43 fallers, 42 non-fallers) were evaluated with conventional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) sequences of the brain. DTI metrics were obtained from selected WMT using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) method. This was followed by binary logistic regression to investigate the clinical variables that could act as confounding elements on the outcomes. The TBSS analysis was then repeated, but this time including all significant predictor variables from the regression analysis as TBSS covariates.

Results

The mean diffusivity (MD) and axial diffusivity (AD) and to a lesser extent radial diffusivity (RD) values of the projection fibers and commissural bundles were significantly different in fallers (p < 0.05) compared to non-fallers. However, the final logistic regression model obtained showed that only functional reach, white matter lesion volume, hypertension and orthostatic hypotension demonstrated statistical significant differences between fallers and non-fallers. No significant differences were found in the DTI metrics when taking into account age and the four variables as covariates in the repeated analysis.

Conclusion

This DTI study of 85 subjects, do not support DTI metrics as a singular factor that contributes independently to the fall outcomes. Other clinical and imaging factors have to be taken into account.

SUBMITTER: Wong YQ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5489210 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Microstructural integrity of white matter tracts amongst older fallers: A DTI study.

Wong Yoke Queen YQ Tan Li Kuo LK Seow Pohchoo P Tan Maw Pin MP Abd Kadir Khairul Azmi KA Vijayananthan Anushya A Ramli Norlisah N

PloS one 20170628 6

<h4>Objectives</h4>This study assesses the whole brain microstructural integrity of white matter tracts (WMT) among older individuals with a history of falls compared to non-fallers.<h4>Methods</h4>85 participants (43 fallers, 42 non-fallers) were evaluated with conventional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) sequences of the brain. DTI metrics were obtained from selected WMT using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) method. This was followed by binary logistic regression to investigate th ...[more]

PMID: 28658309

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Project description:Background and Purpose: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are commonly seen on structural MRI of older adults and are a manifestation of underlying and adjacent tissue damage. WMH may contribute to cortical disconnection and cognitive dysfunction, but it is unclear how WMH affect intersecting or nearby white matter tract integrity. This study investigated the effects of WMH on tract microstructure by determining the spatial distribution of water diffusion characteristics in white matter tract areas adjacent to both intersecting and nearby WMH. Methods: We used diffusion and structural MRI data from 52 representative participants from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (72.2 ± 0.7 years) including a range of WMH burden. We segmented WMH, reconstructed 18 main white mater tracts using automated quantitative tractography and identified intersections between tracts and WMH. We measured mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) in tract tissue at 2 mm incremental distances from tract-intersecting and non-intersecting (nearby) WMH. Results: We observed a spatial gradient of FA and MD abnormalities for most white matter tracts which diminished with a similar distance pattern for tract-intersecting and nearby WMH. Overall, FA was higher, while MD was lower around nearby WMH compared with tract-intersecting WMH. However, for some tracts, FA was lower in areas immediately surrounding nearby WMH, although with faster normalization than in FA values surrounding tract-intersecting WMH. Conclusion: WMH have similar effects on tract infrastructure, whether they be intersecting or nearby. However, the observed differences in tract water diffusion properties around WMH suggest that degenerative processes in small vessel disease may propagate further along the tract for intersecting WMH, while in some areas of the brain there is a larger and more localized accumulation of axonal damage in tract tissue nearby a non-connected WMH. Longitudinal studies should address differential effects of intersecting vs. nearby WMH progression and how they contribute to cognitive aging.

Dataset Information

Microstructural integrity of white matter tracts amongst older fallers: A DTI study.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Microstructural integrity of white matter tracts amongst older fallers: A DTI study.

Similar Datasets

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