Diffusion and structural MRI as potential biomarkers in people with Parkinson's disease and cognitive impairment

ObjectiveTo explore the neuroimage change in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with cognitive impairments, this study investigated the correlation between plasma biomarkers and morphological brain changes in patients with normal cognition and mild cognitive impairment. The objective was to identify the potential target deposition regions of the plasma biomarkers and to search for the relevant early neuroimaging biomarkers on the basis of different cognitive domains.MethodsStructural brain MRI and diffusion weighted images were analyzed from 49 eligible PD participants (male/female: 27/22; mean age: 73.4 & PLUSMN; 8.5 years) from a retrospective analysis. Plasma levels of & alpha;-synuclein, amyloid beta peptide, and total tau were collected. A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment of the general and specific cognitive domains was performed. Difference between PD patients with normal cognition and impairment was examined. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between image-derived index and plasma biomarkers or neuropsychological assessments.ResultsSignificant correlation was found between plasma A & beta;-42 level and fractional anisotropy of the middle occipital, angular, and middle temporal gyri of the left brain, as well as plasma T-tau level and the surface area of the isthmus or the average thickness of the posterior part of right cingulate gyrus. Visuospatial and executive function is positively correlated with axial diffusivity in bilateral cingulate gyri.ConclusionIn nondemented PD patients, the target regions for plasma deposition might be located in the cingulate, middle occipital, angular, and middle temporal gyri. Changes from multiple brain regions can be correlated to the performance of different cognitive domains.

Automated summary

The study investigates the neuroimage change in Parkinson's disease patients with cognitive impairments by correlating plasma biomarkers with morphological brain changes in patients with normal cognition and mild cognitive impairment. The aim is to identify potential target deposition regions of plasma biomarkers and explore relevant early neuroimaging biomarkers for different cognitive domains.