Related Experiment Videos
MR signal abnormalities in memory disorder and dementia
B C Bowen1, W W Barker, D A Loewenstein
1Department of Radiology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami Beach, FL 33140.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|March 1, 1990
Summary
Brain MRIs reveal white and gray matter hyperintensities linked to cognitive decline. Periventricular and subcortical lesions correlate with age and dementia severity, aiding in Alzheimer disease and multi-infarct dementia diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroradiology
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
Background:
- White and gray matter hyperintensities on MR imaging are common findings in aging and neurological disorders.
- Objective memory disorder and dementia encompass conditions like Alzheimer disease and multi-infarct cognitive disorder.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between white and gray matter hyperintensities on MR imaging and cognitive status.
- To analyze the size and location of these hyperintensities in normal subjects and patients with memory disorders.
Main Methods:
- MR imaging of the brain was performed on 86 normal subjects and 113 patients with memory disorder or dementia.
- Hyperintensities were assessed for size and location (periventricular, subcortical, cortical).
- Patients were categorized based on Hachinski ischemic scores for probable/possible Alzheimer disease, mixed Alzheimer disease/multi-infarct cognitive disorder, or multi-infarct cognitive disorder.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations were found between age and periventricular/subcortical lesions in normal subjects.
- Hachinski ischemic scores correlated with periventricular, subcortical, and cortical lesions in patients with memory disorder/dementia.
- Mean scores for periventricular and subcortical lesions were highest in multi-infarct cognitive disorder, followed by Alzheimer disease and normal groups.
- Periventricular lesions were nearly universal in Alzheimer disease and multi-infarct cognitive disorder.
- Subcortical lesions were present in all multi-infarct cognitive disorder patients but only about half of Alzheimer disease patients.
Conclusions:
- MR imaging findings of white and gray matter hyperintensities are associated with cognitive impairment.
- The distribution and prevalence of periventricular and subcortical lesions differ between Alzheimer disease and multi-infarct cognitive disorder.
- These imaging markers may aid in differentiating between types of dementia.