History of traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative disease: a
multi-parameter MRI investigation
 


   Note: An Official Proposal has not been Submitted to NACC.


   Lead Investigator:    Corinne Fischer
   Institution      :    St. Michael's Hospital
   E-Mail           :    corinne.fischer@unityhealth.to
   Proposal ID      :    1797



   Proposal Description:
   Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an established risk factor for Alzheimer?s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, with some epidemiological studies having linked TBI with faster rates of neurodegenerative disease progression. These findings have raised concerns about the role that TBI plays in age-related neurodegeneration, and whether it represents a distinct disease pathway that may potentially benefit from different intervention strategies. The objective of this study is to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the brain physiology of NACC cohorts with and without a history of TBI. We will seek to establish (1) whether there are evolving patterns of neurophysiology unique to patients with a history of TBI and (2) whether the patterns overlap with long-term TBI effects in non-neurodegenerative (NND) cohorts. Key MRI parameters such as cortical grey matter volume (GMV), white matter indices of fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity (FA and MD), and functional connectivity (Fconn) will be obtained, and the cross-sectional and longitudinal effects of TBI on these measures will be evaluated. Testing for generalizable clinical and neuroimaging correlates of TBI among patients with neurodegenerative disorders will help determine to what extent TBI may give rise to distinct neurodegenerative disease pathways. This information may lead to more specific treatments and improved prognosticating for patients and their families.