Evaluating whole brain health using Brain Atrophy and Lesion Index:
validation using large datasets 
   Lead Investigator:    Xiaowei Song
   Institution      :    Fraser Health Authority
   E-Mail           :    Xiaowei.Song@fraserhealth.ca
   Proposal ID      :    542


   Publications:


1  Guo H, Siu W, D'Arcy RCN, Black S, Grajauskas L, Shang L, Diggle J, Rockwood K, Song X
   MRI assessment of whole-brain structural changes in aging
   Journal Article  Clin Interv Aging,12:1251-1270,2017,PMC5557118

   PUBLISHED



2  Song X, Guo H, Siu W, D'Arcy RCN, Diggle J, Zhang Y
   Application of Brain Atrophy Lesion Index (BALI) to Common Clinical MRI Sequences: Evaluation of Whole Brain Structural Changes in Aging and Dementia
   Abstract  Alzheimers Dement,12:P101-P102,2016,

   PUBLISHED





   Proposal Description:
   Brain aging is associated with multiple structural changes, which collectively affect cognition and dementia outcomes such as Alzheimer disease (AD). Over the past few years, we have established a method to systematically evaluate whole brain health in aging with use of the MRI based Brain Atrophy Lesion        Index (BALI). BALI is a semi-quantitative rating scale that summarizes common changes in the aging brain in seven categories. It has been shown that the BALI score increases with advanced age, and differs among people with AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and healthy aging. Given that the approach has been developed primarily using the well-established Alzheimer???s Disease              Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) study, we propose to conduct this project aiming to validate this method with the application of the MRI data in the large multi-centre National Alzheimers Disease Coordinating Centre (NACC) database. The NACC dataset is unique as it includes people with various causes of dementia, to allow testing the applicability of BALI approach to differential diagnosis. We will also evaluate the relationships between brain health and general health, and these in relation to genetic and environmental factors. The study will help improve the generalization of the method, to allow a wider range of applications. The objectives are:                                1. To investigate structural brain health and its change associated with age and with different sub-types of dementia                                              2. To better understand whole brain health in relation to general health, biomarkers, genetic and environmental factors, and cognitive decline