A novel neuroimaging signature for ADRD risk stratification in the community

by Charles Decarli
November 21, 2023

Figure of strengths of significant association (regression t values) for gray matter thickness in Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia cases versus cognitively healthy controls after accounting for multiple comparisons. Cluster masks significantly associated with AD versus normal cognition were computed separately for thresholds of t values from 3 to 6.5, in increments of 0.5. This highlights areas of differing but significant association strengths.

Abstract

Introduction

Early risk stratification for clinical dementia could lead to preventive therapies. We identified and validated a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signature for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias (ARDR).

Methods

An MRI ADRD signature was derived from cortical thickness maps in Framingham Heart Study (FHS) participants with AD dementia and matched controls. The signature was related to the risk of ADRD and cognitive function in FHS. Results were replicated in the University of California Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (UCD-ADRC) cohort.

Results

Participants in the bottom quartile of the signature had more than three times increased risk for ADRD compared to those in the upper three quartiles (P < 0.001). Greater thickness in the signature was related to better general cognition (P < 0.01) and episodic memory (P = 0.01). Results replicated in UCD-ADRC.