Thalamic microstructural alterations in cerebral small vessel disease with mild cognitive impairment: insights from diffusion kurtosis imaging.

IF 2.4 3区医学 Q2 CLINICAL NEUROLOGY

Neuroradiology Pub Date : 2025-03-06 DOI:10.1007/s00234-025-03578-1

Binglan Li, Bang Zeng, Peng Zeng, Dan Luo, Yuling Peng, Qiyuan Zhu, Zichun Yan, Ying Chai, Lisha Nie, Dan Wang, Yanyun Xiang, Yongmei Li

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate thalamic microstructural alterations in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), and to examine the associations between DKI parameters and cognitive performance.

Methods: The study included 80 CSVD patients and 40 healthy controls (HC). Based on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores, CSVD patients were divided into MCI (n = 40) and non-MCI (n = 40) groups. DKI parameters of the thalamus and its subregions were compared among the three groups and correlated with cognitive performance.

Results: CSVD-MCI patients exhibited significant alterations in DKI parameters, predominantly in the left thalamus. Compared to HC, CSVD-MCI patients showed reduced FA and decreased kurtosis parameters (KFA, MK, AK), along with increased diffusivity metrics (MD, AD, RD). Subregional analysis revealed the most pronounced changes in the left posterior, medial, and ventral groups. The lateral geniculate nucleus showed particularly significant reductions in FA and KFA. Cognitive assessments revealed significant correlations between DKI parameters and cognitive performance, with BNT and VFT scores showing strong correlations with DKI parameters in the left thalamus, particularly in the posterior nucleus and pulvinar.

Conclusion: Thalamic microstructural alterations may play a crucial role in cognitive decline among CSVD patients. Diffusion kurtosis imaging parameters may provide novel perspectives for investigating the mechanisms of cognitive deterioration in CSVD patients.

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来源期刊

Neuroradiology 医学-核医学

CiteScore

5.30

自引率

3.60%

发文量

214

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Neuroradiology aims to provide state-of-the-art medical and scientific information in the fields of Neuroradiology, Neurosciences, Neurology, Psychiatry, Neurosurgery, and related medical specialities. Neuroradiology as the official Journal of the European Society of Neuroradiology receives submissions from all parts of the world and publishes peer-reviewed original research, comprehensive reviews, educational papers, opinion papers, and short reports on exceptional clinical observations and new technical developments in the field of Neuroimaging and Neurointervention. The journal has subsections for Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Advanced Neuroimaging, Paediatric Neuroradiology, Head-Neck-ENT Radiology, Spine Neuroradiology, and for submissions from Japan. Neuroradiology aims to provide new knowledge about and insights into the function and pathology of the human nervous system that may help to better diagnose and treat nervous system diseases. Neuroradiology is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and follows the COPE core practices. Neuroradiology prefers articles that are free of bias, self-critical regarding limitations, transparent and clear in describing study participants, methods, and statistics, and short in presenting results. Before peer-review all submissions are automatically checked by iThenticate to assess for potential overlap in prior publication.