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Cerebral atrophy in mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Hossein Tabatabaei-Jafari1, Marnie E Shaw1, Nicolas Cherbuin1

  • 1Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

Alzheimer'S & Dementia (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|May 31, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is associated with significant brain volume loss, particularly in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. Further research is needed to understand the full extent of brain changes in MCI.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Neurology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnosis relies heavily on cognitive assessments.
  • Reliable estimates of structural brain changes in MCI are lacking.
  • Understanding MCI-related brain changes is crucial for diagnosis and contrasting with normal aging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and quantify longitudinal structural brain changes in individuals with MCI.
  • To provide reliable estimates of brain volume loss in specific regions affected by MCI.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search of the MEDLINE database for longitudinal structural MCI studies.
  • Meta-analysis of studies with compatible data.
  • Qualitative review of studies excluded from meta-analyses.

Main Results:

  • MCI participants showed a 2.2-fold greater hippocampal volume loss compared to controls.
  • Whole brain volume loss was 1.8-fold higher in MCI.
  • Entorhinal cortex volume loss was 1.5-fold higher in MCI.

Conclusions:

  • The medial temporal lobe is susceptible to MCI pathology.
  • Atrophy in the medial temporal lobe accounts for a smaller portion of overall brain volume loss in MCI.
  • Further research is required to identify the causes of the remaining volume loss in MCI.
Keywords:
Brain atrophyEntorhinal cortexHippocampusMRIMild cognitive impairment

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