Development of Early Diagnostic Support Technology for Dementia Using MRI-Based Brain Volume and Magnetic Susceptibility Indices

In diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease with MRI, it is common to use the reduction in volume (atrophy) of certain brain regions as an indicator. However, current research is focusing on whether even slight changes prior to the onset of atrophy can be detected. We are developing MRI quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), which sensitively captures these changes by focusing on abnormal iron deposition and loss of myelin. Additionally, we are developing analytical techniques to support dementia diagnosis based on measured brain volume and magnetic susceptibility.

Development Section in Charge

AI Development for Diagnostic Imaging Assistant Section

Principal Investigator

KUDO Kohsuke, Professor, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine

University-Affiliated Researchers

YABE Ichiro, Professor, Department of Neurology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine 
THA Khin Khin, Associate Professor,  Global Center for Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine
UDO Niki, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine
MATSUSHIMA Masaaki, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine
IKEBE Yohei, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor, Division of Autopsy Imaging, Center for Cause of Death Investigation Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine 
YAMAGUCHI Akinori, Doctoral Program, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine

Non-University-Affiliated Researchers

SASAKI Makoto, Iwate Medical University
HARADA Masashi, Tokushima University
MATSUKAWA  Noriyuki, Nagoya City University

Collaborative Research Partner

FUJIFILM Corporation

External Funding

AMED Grant Number: JP18he1402002.