Voxel-Based Morphometry in Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a clinically, genetically and pathologically heterogenous neurodegenerative disorder. FTD is characterized by a focal atrophy, which makes it a promising candidate for study using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Visual assessment of magnetic resonance imaging of the brain is subjective and often depends on the researcher’s experience, which reduces its diagnostic value. VBM, on the other hand, allows quantitative assessment of brain atrophy, which increases the accuracy and allows to identify the earliest stages of the neurodegenerative process. This review will cover the utility of VBM in the study of the neuroanatomical foundations of the disease, identify the atrophy patterns specific to each variants of FTD and analyze the role of VBM in diagnosis of clinical and preclinical stages of the disease.