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Journals / İstanbul Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 89 Sayı: 2

INVESTIGATION OF VOLUMETRIC ALTERATIONS IN THALAMIC SUBNUCLEI IN PROGRESSIVE AND STABLE MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

Emre Harı(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-8329-5507
Can Soylu(İSTANBUL SAĞLIK VE TEKNOLOJİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-4520-3955
Pages
104–109
Publication Date
2026-05-13
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Based on the findings of our study, the anterior thalamic nucleus group may provide supportive value to other MRI biomarkers in predicting conversion to dementia.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the volumes of thalamic subnuclei known to function in large-scale cognitive networks between progressive mild cognitive impairment (pMCI) and stable MCI (sMCI) groups progressing to dementia.
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Key Findings & Data:Materials and Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical data of 31 pMCI (Age: 68.66±6.86; education: 15.71±2.46; gender: 15 female) and 31 sMCI (Age: 70.18±7.24; education: 16.23±2.68; gender: 13 female) patients with no statistically significant differences in age, gender, education, and follow-up interval (mean 21 months) from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database were used.
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Conclusion & Impact:Based on the findings of our study, the anterior thalamic nucleus group may provide supportive value to other MRI biomarkers in predicting conversion to dementia.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Thalamus · mild cognitive impairment · magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the volumes of thalamic subnuclei known to function in large-scale cognitive networks between progressive mild cognitive impairment (pMCI) and stable MCI (sMCI) groups progressing to dementia. Materials and Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical data of 31 pMCI (Age: 68.66±6.86; education: 15.71±2.46; gender: 15 female) and 31 sMCI (Age: 70.18±7.24; education: 16.23±2.68; gender: 13 female) patients with no statistically significant differences in age, gender, education, and follow-up interval (mean 21 months) from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database were used. FreeSurfer software was used for individual thalamus segmentation and volume calculation. Thalamic nuclei were divided into anterior, medial, posterior, lateral, ventral, and intralaminar nucleus groups. The volumes of each nucleus were normalised using intracranial volume. Normalised volumes were compared between groups using independent samples t-test, and false discovery rate (FDR) correction was applied. Correlation analysis was performed using florbetapir (AV45) PET scores to evaluate the relationship between amyloid burden in the brain and volumetric decrease. Results: Statistically significant volumetric decreases were detected in the bilateral anterior (Right: t=2.432 p FDR =0.048; Left: t=2.327 p FDR =0.048) and lateral (t=2.372 p FDR =0.048) nucleus groups in pMCI compared to sMCI. A negative correlation was found between PET scores and bilateral anterior nucleus groups (Right: r=-0.353 p=0.026, left: r=-0.350 p=0.026). Conclusion: In our study, the anterior thalamic nucleus group, closely associated with memory, showed reduced volume in MCI patients who progressed to dementia, and this reduction correlated with amyloid burden in the brain. Based on the findings of our study, the anterior thalamic nucleus group may provide supportive value to other MRI biomarkers in predicting conversion to dementia.

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Cite This Article

Harı, E., Soylu, C. (2026). INVESTIGATION OF VOLUMETRIC ALTERATIONS IN THALAMIC SUBNUCLEI IN PROGRESSIVE AND STABLE MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING. İstanbul Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi, Cilt: 89 Sayı: 2, 104–109. https://doi.org/10.26650/IUITFD.1747544

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