White Matter Alterations in MCI Using Free-Water Corrected Tractography: A Comparative Study with Standard DTI

Motivation: The study aims to address the limitations of standard DTI in detecting subtle white matter alterations in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Goal(s): Compare standard vs. free-water (fw) corrected tractography for MCI assessment. Approach: Analyzed multi-shell diffusion MRI data from 105 controls and 48 MCI using both tractography methods. Results: fw-corrected tractography showed longer fiber lengths, fewer false positives, and detected more microstructural changes; significant fw-index increase between the right inferior frontal gyrus and right insula in MCI. Impact: fw-corrected tractography could provide a more accurate measure of white matter changes in MCI Impact: The study suggests that fw-corrected tractography could provide a more accurate assessment of white matter changes in MCI. This technique may offer enhanced sensitivity in detecting subtle microstructural alterations, which could be critical for early detection and intervention in MCI.