MRI correlates of neurofibrillary tangle pathology at autopsy: a voxel-based morphometry study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), composed of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins, are one of the pathologic hallmarks of Alzheimer disease (AD). We aimed to determine whether patterns of gray matter atrophy from antemortem MRI correlate with Braak staging of NFT pathology.

Methods

Eighty-three subjects with Braak stage III through VI, a pathologic diagnosis of low- to high-probability AD, and MRI within 4 years of death were identified. Voxel-based morphometry assessed gray matter atrophy in each Braak stage compared with 20 pathologic control subjects (Braak stages 0 through II).

Results

In pairwise comparisons with Braak stages 0 through II, a graded response was observed across Braak stages V and VI, with more severe and widespread loss identified at Braak s

SUBMITTER: Whitwell JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2676950 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature