Diffusion MRI Measure Corresponded With Cortical Pathology in People With Frontotemporal Dementia
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- A diffusion MRI–based measure of cortical microstructure corresponded with the distribution of autopsy-confirmed pathology in frontotemporal lobar degeneration.
- Associations differed between FTLD-tau and FTLD-TDP and were strongest in cases with TDP-43 pathology.
- The analysis included 36 autopsy-confirmed cases of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia.
A diffusion MRI–based measure obtained during life was associated with the microscopic distribution of pathology later identified at autopsy in people with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), according to research presented at the 15th International Conference on Frontotemporal Dementias.
Researchers evaluated Cortical Disarray Measurement (CDM; Oxford Brain Diagnostics, Oxford, UK), which quantifies cortical microstructure using diffusion MRI, in 36 autopsy-confirmed cases of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). The cohort included 19 cases with FTLD-tau pathology and 17 with FTLD-TDP pathology.
MRI measurements obtained during life were compared with postmortem pathology across 14 cortical regions. Investigators specifically examined whether PerpPD+, a CDM-derived measure, corresponded with the relative distribution of pathology across superficial and deeper cortical layers.
MRI–Pathology Association
- CDM measurements were associated with the laminar distribution of neuropathology identified at autopsy.
- Associations differed according to underlying molecular pathology.
- In FTLD-TDP, MRI measurements closely corresponded with the greater concentration of pathology in superficial cortical layers.
Practical Implications in the Clinic
The findings provide early evidence that diffusion MRI measures of cortical microstructure can correspond with underlying FTLD pathology during life. The analysis was limited to 36 autopsy-confirmed cases, and larger prospective studies are needed to further evaluate the approach.
Source
Oxford Brain Diagnostics. New study shows Cortical Disarray Measurement can reflect microscopic patterns of pathology in frontotemporal dementia. GlobeNewswire. Published October 9, 2026. Accessed October 14, 2026. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/10/09/3378036/0/en/new-study-shows-cortical-disarray-measurement-cdm-can-reflect-microscopic-patterns-of-pathology-in-frontotemporal-dementia.html