Integrative longitudinal investigation of multiparametric PET/MR imaging in mild cognitive impairment
Description: Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents a pressing global health concern, particularly given the demographic trend of population aging. Despite the fact that AD’s neuropathological hallmarks have long been described, the exact interplay between amyloid-beta, tau and neurodegeneration remains unclear. Recent advancements in PET imaging offer enhanced specificity and sensitivity for detecting tau pathology as well as loss of synaptic density in AD. Moreover, state-of-the-art diffusion MRI methods now allow quantification of the brain’s white matter fibre populations within an image voxel. However, longitudinal investigations employing these imaging modalities are still scarce. We will integrate PET, MRI, and neuropsychological evaluations to longitudinally study healthy aging and also to follow disease progression in patients with mild cognitive impairment. This will elucidate the interplay between molecular changes and structural/functional brain alterations, and it will help us to investigate how their combination eventually results in cognitive decline.
Funder: Vlaamse regering
Funding type: fellowship
Funder scheme: BOF - postdoctoral mandates
Start date: 2024-10-01
End date: 2025-09-30
Investigator: Greet Vanderlinden
Institution: KULeuven
Funded outputs count: 0
Funder award ID: PDMT2/24/076
OpenAlex ID: G6374818535