Abstract

Motivation: Previous studies have shown that DTI and tractography may act as early indicator of DKD. Goal(s): The aim of this study was to identify DTI biomarkers that may be sensitive to changes over a relatively short 2-year time frame in early-stage DKD. Approach: Thirteen type-2 diabetic patients were scanned two times during a two-year period on a 3T MRI scanner using a free-breathing diffusion protocol. 180 biomarkers from DTI and tractography were calculated with DIPY. Results: 46 biomarkers showed a significant change over the 2 years, with mean changes that reach over ½ of a standard-deviation and cohen-d effect-sizes up to 0.6Impact: DTI biomarkers show strong changes in early-stage diabetic kidney disease over 2-years, a time frame where clinical biomarkers are typically stable. This finding may have significant implications for clinical practice if confirmed in the larger population.