title: Using support vector machines with multiple indices of diffusion for automated classification of mild cognitive impairment.
abstract: Few studies have looked at the potential of using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in conjunction with machine learning algorithms in order to automate the classification of healthy older subjects and subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Here we apply DTI to 40 healthy older subjects and 33 MCI subjects in order to derive values for multiple indices of diffusion within the white matter voxels of each subject. DTI measures were then used together with support vector machines (SVMs) to classify control and MCI subjects. Greater than 90% sensitivity and specificity was achieved using this method, demonstrating the potential of a joint DTI and SVM pipeline for fast, objective classification of healthy older and MCI subjects. Such tools may be useful for large scale drug trials in Alzheimer's disease where the early identification of subjects with MCI is critical.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany. larodwyer@gmail.com
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: O'Dwyer
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lamberton
authors.forename: Arun L W
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bokde
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ewers
authors.forename: Yetunde O
authors.initials: YO
authors.lastname: Faluyi
authors.forename: Colby
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tanner
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mazoyer
authors.forename: Desmond
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.forename: Máiréad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bartley
authors.forename: D Rónán
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coughlan
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prvulovic
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hampel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D001331:Automation; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D004058:Diffusion; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D060388:Support Vector Machine