Oxygen extraction fraction is differentially associated with pathological biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease and non-Alzheimer's dementias.

Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Misra A, Wang Y, Taheri M, Chiang G, Cho J
Journal Front Neurosci
Volume 20
Pagination 1754415
Date Published 04/28/2026
ISSN 1662-4548
Abstract INTRODUCTION: We aimed to understand the pathophysiological differences between 16 Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 15 non-AD dementia patients by quantifying oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) in cortical (CGM) and deep gray matter (DGM) regions. METHODS: To achieve this, we used a novel MRI-based OEF mapping technique, QQ, which estimates OEF from routine multi-echo gradient echo data. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to compare the associations between OEF and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) or cognitive impairment (measured by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) between the two groups. RESULTS: In the AD and non-AD group, OEF showed negative associations with WMH in DGM and positive associations with MoCA in DGM and CGM. DISCUSSION: Our study suggests that QQ is a promising tool for differentiating between AD and non-AD dementias, by revealing abnormalities in tissue oxygen usage and their relationships to microvascular changes and cognitive impairment.
DOI 10.3389/fnins.2026.1754415
PubMed ID 42131707
PubMed Central ID PMC13161180
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