Differences in cerebellar fiber tract dispersion in coronary artery disease patients are associated with episodic memory and processing speed

Here we characterized the impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) on the brain’s white matter (WM) using diffusion tensor (DTI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI). Mean diffusivity was higher in CAD patients in occipital WM and there were differences in orientation dispersion in several tracts between CAD patients and healthy controls. Alterations in fiber dispersion of cerebellar WM were associated with global cognition, episodic memory, and processing speed. Our study supports the use of advanced diffusion imaging models for the early detection of subtle WM damage in populations at risk of developing dementia such as CAD patients.