Comparative Assessment of Brain Tissue Mechanics Using Magnetic Resonance Elastography in Elderly Individuals: A Systematic Review of Healthy Brain Versus Neurodegenerative Disorders Publisher



Abdi H ; Garciavilana S ; Sanchezmolina D ; Rahimimovaghar V
Source: Archives of Computational Methods in Engineering Published:2025

Abstract

As the global population continues to age, the burden of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS) is rapidly increasing. These conditions are characterized by progressive alterations in brain structure and function, potentially affecting tissue mechanics. Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) has emerged as a non-invasive imaging technique capable of assessing the biomechanical properties of brain tissue in vivo, providing valuable insights beyond conventional imaging modalities. This systematic review aims to comparatively assess the brain tissue mechanical properties, as measured by MRE, in healthy elderly individuals versus those with neurodegenerative disorders. The goal is to consolidate and interpret variations in viscoelastic parameters reported across relevant studies. The review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024577279). A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify studies utilizing MRE to evaluate brain mechanics in elderly populations (≥ 65 years) or individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. Eligible studies reported outcomes such as stiffness, elasticity, or viscosity derived from MRE. A total of 351 records were initially identified, and after a two-stage screening process, 28 studies involving 1,230 participants were included in the final analysis. The included studies varied in terms of imaging frequency (20–90 Hz), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) field strength (primarily 3T), anatomical focus (e.g., hippocampus, deep gray matter, or whole brain), and outcome parameters. Despite methodological heterogeneity, consistent findings indicated that patients with neurodegenerative disorders exhibited significantly reduced brain stiffness compared to healthy controls. Variations in viscoelastic parameters were influenced by disease type, anatomical region, and MRE processing approaches. MRE provides a sensitive and quantitative means of assessing brain tissue integrity in aging and neurodegeneration. The compiled evidence supports the utility of MRE-derived mechanical properties as potential biomarkers for detecting and monitoring neurodegenerative changes. However, future studies should aim for methodological standardization to enable better cross-study comparisons and enhance clinical applicability. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.