Subject classification based on functional connectivity and white matter microstructure in a rat model of Alzheimer’s using machine learning

Abstract

Impaired brain glucose consumption is a possible trigger of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Previous work revealed affected brain structure and function by insulin resistance in terms of functional connectivity and white matter microstructure in a rat model of AD. Here, functional and structural metrics were further used to classify Alzheimer’s from control rats using logistic regression. Our study highlights the MRI-derived biomarkers that best discriminate Alzheimer’s vs control rats early in the course of the disease, with potential translation to human AD.