Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
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Subtle cognitive decline represents a stage of cognitive deterioration in which pathological biomarkers may be present, including early cortical atrophy and amyloid deposition. Using individual items from the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and k-modes cluster analysis, we previously identified three clusters of individuals without overt cognitive impairment: (1) High Performing (no deficits in performance), (2) Memory Deficits (lower memory performance), and (3) Compound Deficits (lower memory and executive function performance). In this study, we sought to understand the relationships found in our clusters between cortical atrophy on MR and amyloid burden on PET. ⋯ The Compound Deficits cluster, which represents a group potentially at higher risk for decline, was observed to have significantly more cortical atrophy, particularly within the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus, associated with whole brain and frontal lobe amyloid burden. These findings point to a pattern of early pathological deterioration that may place these individuals at risk for future decline.
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Early diagnosis of cognitive impairment is important because symptoms can be delayed through therapies. Synaptic disconnections are the key characteristics of dementia, and through nonlinear complexity analysis of brain function, it is possible to identify long-range synaptic disconnections in the brain. ⋯ Current findings suggest that combining measures of neural network and motor function, in addition to neuropsychological testing, may provide an accurate tool for assessing early-stage cognitive impairment and age-related decline in cognition.
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To investigate the association of different phenotypes, count, and locations of chronic covert brain infarctions (CBI) with long-term mortality in patients with first-ever manifest acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Additionally, to analyze their potential interaction with white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and predictive value in addition to established mortality scores. ⋯ WMH represent a strong surrogate biomarker of long-term mortality in first-ever manifest AIS or TIA patients. CBI phenotypes, count, and location seem less relevant. Incorporation of CBI and WMH slightly improves predictive capacity of established risk scores.
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The timely and accurate diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is essential and exposure to multiple sclerosis (MS) disease-modifying therapies may result in permanent neurological disability. ⋯ Cross-sectional and longitudinal dorsal medulla surface texture differences within selective regions of vulnerability differentiate NMOSD from MS.
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High-grade glioma (HGG), including glioblastoma, is the most common primary brain neoplasm and has a dismal prognosis. After initial treatment, follow-up decisions are guided by longitudinal MRI performed at routine intervals. The Brain Tumor Reporting and Data System (BT-RADS) is a proposed structured reporting system for posttreatment brain MRIs. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between BT-RADS scores and overall survival in HGG patients. ⋯ BT-RADS scores can be used as a reference guide to anticipate whether patients' subsequent MRI will be improved, stable, or worsened. The scoring system can also be used to predict clinical outcomes and prognosis.