Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2026

The 4 Mountains Test: A Short Test of Spatial Memory with High Sensitivity for the Diagnosis of Pre-dementia Alzheimer's Disease
06:23

The 4 Mountains Test: A Short Test of Spatial Memory with High Sensitivity for the Diagnosis of Pre-dementia Alzheimer's Disease

Published on: October 13, 2016

Three-dimensional patterns of hippocampal atrophy in mild cognitive impairment

James T Becker1, Simon W Davis, Kiralee M Hayashi

  • 1Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. beckerjt@upmc.edu

Archives of Neurology
|January 13, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment, amnesic subtype (MCI-A), show hippocampal atrophy. However, MCI, multiple cognitive domain subtype, patients do not differ from controls, indicating distinct neuropathological correlates for MCI subtypes.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Neurology
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a heterogeneous condition.
  • Understanding the neuropathological correlates of MCI subtypes is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
  • Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by significant neurodegeneration, particularly in the hippocampus.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare hippocampal volumes across different subtypes of MCI and Alzheimer disease (AD) using 3D mesh reconstructions.
  • To investigate the distinct neuropathological profiles of MCI subtypes relative to controls and AD patients.

Main Methods:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetric study utilizing 3D mesh reconstructions.
  • Inclusion of three groups: MCI amnesic subtype (MCI-A), MCI multiple cognitive domain subtype, and AD patients.
  • Comparison with age, education, and sex-matched elderly control subjects.

Main Results:

  • Alzheimer disease (AD) patients exhibited significant hippocampal atrophy compared to controls.
  • MCI, multiple cognitive domain subtype, patients showed no significant hippocampal volume difference from controls.
  • MCI-A patients demonstrated significant hippocampal atrophy, comparable to AD patients, and distinct from MCI, multiple cognitive domain subtype.

Conclusions:

  • The findings support the existence of distinct neuropathological underpinnings for different MCI subtypes.
  • MCI, multiple cognitive domain subtype, appears to have different neurodegenerative patterns than MCI, amnesic subtype (MCI-A).
  • MCI, multiple cognitive domain subtype, is not an earlier stage of MCI-A, suggesting divergent disease trajectories.

More Related Videos

Generalized Psychophysiological Interaction (PPI) Analysis of Memory Related Connectivity in Individuals at Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease09:38

Generalized Psychophysiological Interaction (PPI) Analysis of Memory Related Connectivity in Individuals at Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

Published on: November 14, 2017

A Comprehensive Protocol for Manual Segmentation of the Medial Temporal Lobe Structures12:30

A Comprehensive Protocol for Manual Segmentation of the Medial Temporal Lobe Structures

Published on: July 2, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Role of Hippocampus in Memory01:19

Role of Hippocampus in Memory

The hippocampus, a critical brain structure, plays an essential role in memory processing, particularly in the formation and retrieval of memory. This small, seahorse-shaped region is located within the medial temporal lobe, with one hippocampus in each brain hemisphere. Experimental studies involving lesions in the hippocampi of rats have demonstrated significant impairments in tasks such as object recognition and maze navigation, indicating the hippocampus involvement in both recognition and...
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
Dementia l: Introduction01:22

Dementia l: Introduction

Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview01:26

Alzheimer's Disease: Overview

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction01:29

Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction

Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...