Mapping Connectivity of the Nucleus Basalis of Meynert in Alzheimers using fMRI and probabilistic tractography

The nucleus basalis (NBM) is the major source of cholinergic innervation to the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and other subcortical structures. Focusing DTI and fMRI on the NBM can shed light on the potential state of subjects with Alzheimer’s disease. We aim to use DTI to provide insight into the white matter projections from the NBM and use fMRI to depict how it is functionally wired. We found that imaging of the NBM differentiated dementia patients from controls, and captured the level of cognitive decline. While the results are preliminary, this analysis introduces a method of observing the progression of AD.