Topic: Dynamic Brain Iron Changes in Aging and Neurodegeneration via QSM
Moderator: Simin Zhang, Post.doc
Date: 16/12/2024, 14:00
Location: The lab of HMRRC (10011, the 8th Teaching Building)
Speaker 1: Haolin Yin, Ph.D. Candidate
Title: Choroid Plexus Volume and Permeability at Brain MRI within the Alzheimer Disease Clinical Spectrum
Keypoints：
Question: Does the choroid plexus (CP) play an important role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), especially in terms of imaging characteristics of cognitive impairment? Findings: The study revealed that choroid plexus volume is significantly larger in patients with Alzheimer's disease compared to those with milder cognitive impairments, indicating a correlation between CP volume and the severity of cognitive decline along the AD spectrum. Additionally, the research found that CP volume is negatively associated with memory, executive function, and global cognition as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) z-score. Permeability measures, specifically the volume transfer constant (Ktrans) and fractional plasma volume (Vp), were negatively correlated with CP volume, while susceptibility showed no significant association. Meaning: These findings suggest that the choroid plexus may play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, potentially serving as a biomarker for cognitive impairment. The association between CP volume and cognitive function highlights its potential use in diagnosing and staging AD. The independence of these findings from amyloid abnormalities presents an opportunity to explore the CP as a distinct therapeutic target in AD.
Speaker 2: Zihao Lu, M.M. Candidate
Title: Altered brain iron depositions from aging to Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease: A quantitative susceptibility mapping study
Keypoints：
Question: How does brain iron deposition change dynamically across aging and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD), as observed using Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM)?
Findings: (1) Aging: Older adults exhibit significantly higher and uneven brain iron deposition compared to younger adults, particularly in subcortical nuclei. (2) PD Progression: Progressive iron accumulation was observed in the substantia nigra (SN) and red nucleus (RN) from prodromal PD (pPD) to clinical PD (cPD), along with unstable spatial distribution in pPD. (3) AD Pathology: AD patients show significantly higher iron deposition and spatial variation in the caudate nucleus (CN) and putamen compared to PD patients and controls, with unique patterns distinct from PD. (4) Predictive Models: Brain iron metrics significantly predict motor symptoms in PD and cognitive decline in AD through regression models.
Meaning: This study demonstrates that brain iron deposition is a critical biomarker for aging and neurodegenerative diseases, revealing distinct patterns and underlying pathological differences in Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease. These findings provide valuable insights for early diagnosis, disease monitoring, and targeted interventions, highlighting their significant clinical implications.