Abstract
The objective of the study was to explore the relationship between the indicators of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies using the voxel-based specific regional analysis system for Alzheimer’s Disease (VSRAD) advance. Among 36 patients with suspected dementia, patients with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies were identified using VSRAD advance from March 1 to October 30, 2019. All patients underwent brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). We diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease using Volume of Interest (VOI) in the Medial Temporal Lobe (MTL) atrophy ratio ＞ 2 and dementia with Lewy bodies using both VOI in the MTL atrophy ratio ≤ 2 and gray/white matter atrophy ratio ≥ 0.2. The correlation between the indicators of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies was calculated. The number of patients classified as having Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies was 25 and 11, respectively. In the Alzheimer’s disease group, the correlation coefficient between the extent of gray matter atrophy and the severity of atrophy in the dorsal brainstem gray matter was r = -0.40 (p = 0.045). In dementia with Lewy bodies group, the correlation coefficient between the extent of gray matter atrophy and the severity of atrophy in the dorsal brainstem white matter was r = -0.78 (p < 0.01). Using VSRAD advance, gray matter atrophy and dorsal brainstem grey/white matter atrophy were found to be negatively correlated in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.
Highlights
Dementia is an urgent problem faced by the elderly
Our results showed that in patients classified as having Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the extent of gray matter atrophy and the severity of Volume of Interest (VOI) atrophy in the dorsal brainstem gray matter were significantly negatively correlated
Patients classified as having AD, the dorsal brainstem gray matter atrophies when the gray matter atrophy is mild—which suggests that the dorsal brainstem gray matter could be relatively preserved as gray matter atrophy progresses
Summary
In 2002, an epidemiological study conducted in Tajiri, Miyagi Prefecture on persons ≥ 65 years old reported an incidence of dementia of 8.5% [1]. The reported overall prevalence rates of various diseases among people aged ≥ 65 years were as follows: 3.8% for dementia, 2.1% for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), 1.0% for vascular dementia, and 0.7% for other types of dementia [2]. A recent epidemiological study in Hisayama, Fukuoka Prefecture, reported the following prevalence rates: 32.3% for AD, 14.6% for vascular dementia, 9.5% for Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), and 3.1% for mixed dementia [3]. A study reported the involvement of denatured proteins, a type of protein and α-synuclein believed to be related to the occurrence of AD, in the onset of AD and DLB [4]. A loss of the dopamine transporter causes a decreased uptake of 123I-ioflupane in the basal ganglia [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
