3D quantitative MRI for cognitive performance: T1 relaxation times of the right putamen and volumes of the left hippocampus as key biomarkers.

Overview

1. Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Institute of Neuroradiology, Frankfurt, Germany
2. Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Frankfurt, Germany
3. Goethe University Frankfurt, Cooperative Brain Imaging Center - CoBIC, Frankfurt, Germany

Abstract

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents anearly stage of cognitive decline, often preceding dementia. While hippocampal atrophy is a recognized imaging marker, the role of deep gray matter structures and tissue alterations remains less understood. This study aimed to assess whether quantitative T1 (qT1) relaxometry and volumetric measures derived from synthetic MRI are associated with global cognitive performance, as measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 74 healthy adults (mean age 43.7 years, 50% female) underwent 3D-synthetic MRI and MoCA testing. Participants were stratified into cognitively normal (MoCA ≥26) and MCI (MoCA <26) groups. Brain volumes and qT1 values were extracted across regions. Associations with MoCA were assessed using multivariate regression, controlling for demographic and clinical covariates.

Results: Left hippocampal volume was significantly reduced in the MCI group (p = 0.019) and was positively associated with MoCA scores (R2 = 0.18). Although qT1 values did not differ significantly between groups, qT1 in the right putamen independently predicted MoCA scores when adjusted for age (combined model R2 = 0.22). Age was also associated with cortical gray matter qT1 (r = −0.33, p = 0.005) and increased CSF volume (r = 0.45, p < 0.0001), indicating age-related structural changes. No significant effects of sex, BMI, vascular risk, or comorbidities were observed.

Conclusions: Hippocampal volume and putamen qT1 are independent imaging correlates of cognitive performance. qT1 mapping may detect early subtle tissue changes not captured by conventional volumetry, supporting its potential role as a biomarker in cognitive aging.

Reproduced under the paper's license (CC BY), from the paper cited above.

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Codes generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Version 2, 28 September 2026

• Authors: added Lora Kovacheva (0000-0001-6999-1533); removed Lora Kovacheva

Version 1, 28 September 2026: the first record

Recorded: type, language, journal, volume, issue, pages, dates, 8 authors, 5 keywords, 3 funders, 39 references.

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This paper

Kovacheva, L., Schüre, J. R., Klinsing, S., Willems, R., Balo, M., Deichmann, R., Hattingen, E., & Arendt, C. T. (2026). 3D quantitative MRI for cognitive performance: T1 relaxation times of the right putamen and volumes of the left hippocampus as key biomarkers. Neuroimage. Reports, 6(2), 100351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ynirp.2026.100351

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