Exploring Functional Connectivity and Brain Entropy as Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease: A Resting Functional MRI-Based Approach

• Grant number: 23/09227-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2023
• End date: September 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Radiology
• Principal Investigator: Renata Ferranti Leoni
• Grantee: Natália de Carvalho Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disease that affects cognitive function and quality of life, being the leading cause of dementia. It is of utmost importance to identify individuals in the early stages of AD, even before they meet the clinical criteria. In this context, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) is a non-invasive technique that allows for the analysis of patterns of functional connectivity among brain regions and providing well-established biomarkers for classifying patients compared to healthy controls. Brain entropy (BEN) is an innovative approach that will be used to assess the level of disorder in the brains of AD patients, presenting itself as a potential biomarker. The aim of this research project is to explore functional connectivity and brain entropy as biomarkers of AD using rs-fMRI, obtained from the Open Access Series of Imaging Studies 3 (OASIS-3) database. The project methodology includes image preprocessing, functional connectivity analysis with calculation of Pearson correlation coefficients and graph parameters. This will allow for the identification of connectivity changes between brain regions in AD patients, providing insights into neural communication dysfunctions associated with the disease. Additionally, an algorithm will be implemented to calculate entropy, aiming to understand how this disorder relates to AD progression. With this study, we expect to gain a better understanding of the alterations in functional connectivity and brain entropy associated with AD, contributing to advances in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of this disease.