Diagnostic Utility of Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Functional MRI in Early Neurodegeneration: A Systematic Review of Structural and Functional Brain Biomarkers

This systematic review explores the application of advanced neuroimaging techniques, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional MRI (fMRI), in identifying early neural alterations in patients with cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disorders. By synthesizing data from nine recent clinical studies, the review highlights the integration of structural and functional imaging in detecting subtle brain connectivity changes associated with conditions such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and subjective cognitive decline (SCD). The findings suggest that specific imaging parameters, including fractional anisotropy and task-based functional deactivation, correlate strongly with cognitive outcomes and therapeutic responses. Overall, this work underscores the potential of DTI and fMRI as valuable, non-invasive biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of cognitive decline, offering a foundation for improved diagnostic accuracy and timely interventions in clinical settings.