Iranian Journal of Medical Physics

Iranian Journal of Medical Physics

Brain Nucleus Changes in Cognitive Disorders: Examining By the Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) Technique

Document Type : Original Paper

Authors
Farzaneh Nikparast 1
Ali Shoeibi 2
Shabnam Niroumand 2
Hossein Akbari-Lalimi 1
Hoda Zare 2
1 Medical Physics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2 Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
10.22038/ijmp.2022.68457.2198
Abstract
Introduction: Iron deposition is vital for damaging neurons and causing different cognitive disorders. Today, using the quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) technique, iron deposits in other brain areas can be assessed and measured. This study aimed to identify changes in iron deposition of 12 brain nuclei through different stages of dementia using the QSM technique to introduce biomarkers for the early detection of cognitive disorders.
Material and Methods: The Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database was used to download data. A 3T MRI scanner scanned thirty-five participants with normal cognition and forty-six patients with cognitive disorders who were classified into four groups based on the severity of the condition. QSM processing determined twelve regions of interest (ROIs) by automatic nuclei segmentation and statistical analysis performed in these groups’ MRI images.
Results: Based on previous findings, QSM values ​​increase proportionally to iron deposition.
In this study, the increase in the QSM values ​​of different nuclei of the early mild cognitive impairment (EMCI) stage indicates iron deposition in these participants. In the EMCI group, The QSM value of the bilateral thalamus (P<0.05) and left amygdala (P=0.006) nuclei were higher than in the control group. Based on the results of the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, the left amygdala (P=0.005), left putamen (P=0.002), left thalamus (P=0.05), and right thalamus (P<0.05) have an appropriate sensitivity and specificity to identify the different stages of cognitive disorders.
Conclusion: The left amygdala and bilateral thalamic nuclei are the first areas exposed to iron deposition during cognitive impairment. Mentioned nuclei, especially the left amygdala, have high efficiency and sensitivity for the early detection of cognitive disorders.
Keywords
Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping
Alzheimer’s Disease
Iron Deposition
Magnetic Susceptibility
Subjects
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Iranian Journal of Medical Physics
Volume 21, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
January and February 2024
Pages 45-52

  • Receive Date 15 October 2022
  • Revise Date 19 December 2022
  • Accept Date 25 December 2022