Abstract #0191

Brain tissue electrical conductivity as a promising biomarker for dementia assessment using MRI

Jiayue Chu¹, Zhenghao Li¹, Jun Li², Yuyao Zhang², Hongjian He^3,4, Binyin Li⁵, and Hongjiang Wei^1,6

¹School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China, ²School of Information Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China, ³School of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China, ⁴State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China, ⁵Department of Neurology & Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China, ⁶National Engineering Research Center of Advanced Magnetic Resonance Technologies for Diagnosis and Therapy (NERC-AMRT), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China

Synopsis

Keywords: Alzheimer's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease

Motivation: Alzheimer's disease (AD) detection typically relies on Aβ and tau PET imaging, which is limited by ionizing radiation. In AD, reduced Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activity causes ion imbalances measurable through MRI-based conductivity, suggesting that the conductivity map may provide a non-invasive alternative.

Goal(s): This study investigates the relationship between brain tissue conductivity, protein aggregation, cognition, and gene expression for potential AD diagnosis.

Approach: Conductivity maps are reconstructed using transceive phase images. They are correlated with PET signals, cognitive scores, and plasma proteins while analyzing gene ontology for AD patients.

Results: Increased conductivity aligned with Aβ/tau aggregation, cognitive decline, and gene expression in ion transport.

Impact: Our findings reveal a significant relationship between increased brain tissue conductivity and protein aggregation in dementia, suggesting that conductivity may be a non-invasive biomarker for monitoring AD and neurodegeneration mechanisms.

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