Midtveisevaluerin g- Haakon Ramsland Hol

Brain plasticity after cognitive intervention in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) evaluated by multimodal MRI images in a randomized, controlled trial.

The aim of this project is to investigate brain plasiticy in MCI patients by a multimodal MRI approach. Computer based adaptive cognitive training effects are on a neuropsychological level correlated with quantitative changes measured by various MRI techniques. The multi-modal MRI methods are based on volumetric and surface based evaluations together with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Publications:
The first article is submitted and awaiting acceptance. It investigates structure-function relationship and baseline data from persons with MCI and closely matched healthy adults, by the use of visual radiological rating scales.

The second article is still a work in progress, investigating correlation between structural changes in gray substance correlating to neurocognitive training effects. The preliminary results finds no quantitative changes in our MCI patients after training. No statistically significant changes in cortical thickness, area and local gyrification index during the period of observation where found between the groups when analyzed by Freesurfer 6.0’s longitudinal pathway.

The third article is a multimodal MRI article investigating DTI and surface-based changes in correlation with neuropsychological results after the placebo/intervention training. The data collection is complete and have been processed by combining thickness data from Freesurfer with DTI data from FSL, in Tracula’s longitudinal pathway. The data is currently awaiting statistical analysis and verification.

Plans for delivery of thesis:
The project have funding until April/May 2019. The thesis is assumed finished around that time, it depends on when the articles will be accepted.