Meeting Banner
Abstract #4245

Automated Segmentation of Cortical and Subcortical Gray Matter Structures for Evaluation of Alzheimer's Disease and Fronto-Temporal Dementia

Emil Malucelli1, David Neil Manners1, Claudia Testa2, Caterina Tonon2, Giovanni Rizzo2, Roberto Poda3, Federico Oppi3, Michelangelo Stanzani Maserati3, Luisa Sambati3, Bruno Barbiroli2, Roberto Gallassi3, Raffaele Lodi2

1Department of Internal Medicine, Aging and Nephrology , University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; 2Department of Internal Medicine, Aging and Nephrology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; 3Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy


Objectives: To assess the ability of combined MR cortical structure volumetry and DTI to automatically detect regional brain changes in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and Frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Methods: 9 AD patients, 7 FTD patients and 7 controls were studied by 3D volumetric and DW MR imaging. An automated registration/segmentation pipeline defined cortical and subcortical regions of interest, yielding structure volumes and mean diffusivity. Results. Diffuse volume reductions and MD increases were found in both patient groups compared to controls. Conclusions: the protocol described has the potential to identify in vivo surrogate markers for brain pathologic changes in neurodegeneration.