DTI-Based Analysis of Fractional Anisotropy in White Matter Tracts and Association With Cognitive Performance

Description

Introduction: White matter tracts play a vital role in facili-
tating neural communication and supporting cognitive func-
tioning. White matter tract integrity may be measured by
fractional anisotropy (FA) derived from difusion tensor
imaging (DTI). We investigated the association between
cognitive performance and FA values in the whole brain,
corpus callosum, corticospinal tracts, superior longitudinal
fasciculus (SLF) - arcuate complex, inferior frontal-occipital
fasciculus, and cingulum in both hemispheres.
Methods: In total 44 participants underwent a DTI scan (single-
shell b-value = 1000 s/mm^2; 32 difusion encoding directions).

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to assess
cognitive performance. Participants were divided into 4 groups:
1.1. Normal cognition, MoCA>26, N = 12, average MoCA
score 28,7 ± 1,2; Average age 57,0 ± 17,5;

2.2. Mild cognitive impairment, MoCA>19; N = 16, aver-
age MoCA score 23,3 ± 1,6; Average age 69,6 ± 7,3;

3.3. Moderate cognitive impairment, MoCA>10; N = 9, aver-
age MoCA score 14,6 ± 2,4; Average age 73,1 ± 7,3;

4.4. Severe cognitive impairment, MoCA<9; N = 7, aver-
age MoCA score 5,9 ± 1,9; Average age 79,6 ± 13,3.
Results: By performing the Kruskall-Wallis test statistically
signifcant diferences in FA between groups were found in:
• whole brain (H(3) = 8,342, p = 0,039);
• In left lobe SLF-arcuate complex (H(3) = 14,580, p = 0,002);
• In right lobe SLF-arcuate complex (H(3) = 11,881, p = 0,008);
• In left lobe inferior frontal-occipital fasciculus (H(3) = 16,119, p = 0,001);
• In right lobe inferior frontal-occipital fasciculus (H(3) = 15,349, p = 0,002);
• In left cingulum (H(3) = 8,256, p = 0,041);

By performing Dunn's post-hoc test in most cases the difer-
ences were observed between normal cognition/mild cognitive
impairment groups vs. moderate and severe cognition groups.
We did not fnd statistically signifcant diferences in FA
between groups in the corpus callosum, corticospinal tracts,
and right cingulum.
Discussion: The observed associations between FA values
and cognitive performance support the notion that alterations
in white matter microstructure may contribute to cognitive
impairment and highlight the potential of FA as a radiologi-
cal biomarker. However, it is important to acknowledge the impact of variability in DTI studies, including diferences in
imaging protocols and post-processing techniques.

Conclusion: Our study found statistically signifcant associations between fractional anisotropy (FA) values in specifc white matter tracts and cognitive performance. These fndings suggest that changes in white matter microstructure may play a role in cognitive impairment and emphasize the
potential of FA as a radiological biomarker.

Period	21 Sept 2023
Event title	ESNR Annual Meeting 2023: CHANGE FOR BETTER: the Viennese Moment reloaded
Event type	Meeting
Organiser	European Society of Neuroradiology
Location	Vienna, AustriaShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International