Application of Nobel QSM technique in MRI for diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease: What is the relationship between iron deposits in brain nuclei with age and severity of disorders?

Abstract

Background. Iron deposits impair neurons and cause cognitive disorders through different pathways. Today, with the help of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), iron accumulations in different brain areas can be evaluated and measured.This research aims to identify the changes of iron deposits in the brain nuclei in different stages of cognitive disorders using the QSM technique and introduces biomarkers for the early diagnosis of these disorders. Methods. The data of thirty-five participants with normal cognitive conditions and forty six patients with cognitive disorders, classified into four different groups based on the severity of the disorder, were downloaded from the ADNI database. After determining the regions (ROIs) with the FSL automatic segmentation tool, the mean QSM values of twelve brain nuclei were determined with the help of Slicer software, and SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. Results. There was an inverse correlation in the left putamen nucleus of LMCI group (P=0.041). Direct correlation between age variable and QSM values of the left putamen nucleus (P=0.000078) and right putamen nucleus (P=0.000017) of the control group were reported. Conclusion. As the severity of disorders increases in the LMCI group, the number of paramagnetic deposits, such as iron, in the left putamen nucleus increases. Therefore, the QSM values of the left putamen nucleus can be used as an indicator of the severity of the disorder in the advanced stages of cognitive disorders. Practical Implications. Iron deposits cause damage to neurons and cause cognitive disorders through various pathways. Today, with the help of the quantitative susceptibility mapping technique, the numeral of iron accumulations in different brain areas can be evaluated and measured. This research aims to identify the changes of iron deposits in the brain nuclei in different stages of cognitive disorders by using the Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) technique to introduce biomarkers for early diagnosis of these disorders.