Application of neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) to a tau pathology model of Alzheimer's disease

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Increased hyperphosphorylated tau and the formation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles are associated with the loss of neurons and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease, and related neurodegenerative conditions. We applied two diffusion models, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI), to in vivo diffusion magnetic resonance images (dMRI) of a mouse model of human tauopathy (rTg4510) at 8.5months of age. In grey matter regions with the highest degree of tau burden, microstructural indices provided by both NODDI and DTI discriminated the rTg4510 (TG) animals from wild type (WT) controls; however only the neurite density index (NDI) (the volume fraction that comprises axons or dendrites) from the NODDI model correlated with the histological measurements of the levels of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Reductions in diffusion directionality were observed when implementing both models in the white matter region of the corpus callosum, with lower fractional anisotropy (DTI) and higher orientation dispersion (NODDI) observed in the TG animals. In comparison to DTI, histological measures of tau pathology were more closely correlated with NODDI parameters in this region. This in vivo dMRI study demonstrates that NODDI identifies potential tissue sources contributing to DTI indices and NODDI may provide greater specificity to pathology in Alzheimer's disease.

Source: NeuroImage

DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.10.043

Authors: N. Colgan, B. Siow, J.M. O'Callaghan, I.F. Harrison, J.A. Wells, H.E. Holmes, O. Ismail, S. Richardson, D.C. Alexander, E.C. Collins, E.M. Fisher, R. Johnson, A.J. Schwarz, Z. Ahmed, M.J. O'Neill, T.K. Murray, H. Zhang, M.F. Lythgoe

Institutions: University Hospital Galway, Saolta University Health Care Group, University College London, Eli Lilly (United States), National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Eli Lilly (United Kingdom)

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications

Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,540

Funders: Eli Lilly and Company, Sundhed og Sygdom, Det Frie Forskningsråd, King's College London, National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, Medical Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

OpenAlex ID: W2206024306