Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 2, 2025
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
Hippocampal Volumes in Amnestic and Non-Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment Types Using Two Common Methods of MCI
Natalie A Emmert1, Katherine E Reiter2, Alissa Butts1
1Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI.
Objectives:
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) types may have distinct neuropathological substrates with hippocampal atrophy particularly common in amnestic MCI (aMCI). However, depending on the MCI classification criteria applied to the sample (e.g., number of abnormal test scores considered or thresholds for impairment), volumetric findings between MCI types may change. Additionally, despite increased clinical use, no prior research has examined volumetric differences in MCI types using the automated volumetric software, Neuroreader™.
Methods:
The present study separately applied the Petersen/Winblad and Jak/Bondi MCI criteria to a clinical sample of older adults (N = 82) who underwent neuropsychological testing and brain MRI. Volumetric data were analyzed using Neuroreader™ and hippocampal volumes were compared between aMCI and non-amnestic MCI (naMCI).
Results:
T-tests revealed that regardless of MCI classification criteria, hippocampal volume z-scores were significantly lower in aMCI compared to naMCI (p's < .05), and hippocampal volume z-scores significantly differed from 0 (Neuroreader™ normative mean) in the aMCI group only (p's < .05). Additionally, significant, positive correlations were found between measures of delayed recall and hippocampal z-scores in aMCI using either MCI classification criteria (p's < .05).
Conclusions:
We provide evidence of correlated neuroanatomical changes associated with memory performance for two commonly used neuropsychological MCI classification criteria. Future research should investigate the clinical utility of hippocampal volumes analyzed via Neuroreader™ in MCI.
Insights
Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) shows significantly lower hippocampal volumes compared to non-amnestic MCI (naMCI). This finding holds true across different classification criteria, highlighting memory performance correlations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) encompasses various subtypes, with amnestic MCI (aMCI) often linked to hippocampal atrophy.
- Different classification criteria for MCI can influence observed volumetric differences.
- Automated volumetric software like Neuroreader™ is increasingly used, but its application to compare MCI subtypes requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate volumetric differences in hippocampal atrophy between aMCI and non-amnestic MCI (naMCI) using Neuroreader™.
- To compare findings using two common MCI classification systems: Petersen/Winblad and Jak/Bondi.
- To explore the correlation between memory performance and hippocampal volumes in MCI subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Applied Petersen/Winblad and Jak/Bondi MCI criteria to 82 older adults.
- Utilized Neuroreader™ software for automated brain MRI volumetric analysis.
- Compared hippocampal volume z-scores between aMCI and naMCI groups.
Main Results:
- Hippocampal volume z-scores were significantly lower in aMCI compared to naMCI, irrespective of the classification criteria used.
- The aMCI group exhibited hippocampal volume z-scores significantly differing from the normative mean.
- Positive correlations were observed between delayed recall measures and hippocampal z-scores in aMCI.
Conclusions:
- Neuroanatomical changes in the hippocampus correlate with memory performance in MCI, supporting distinct neuropathological substrates for MCI subtypes.
- Findings are consistent across two prevalent MCI classification systems.
- Further research is warranted to establish the clinical utility of Neuroreader™ for analyzing hippocampal volumes in MCI.
More Related Videos
12:50Lesion Explorer: A Video-guided, Standardized Protocol for Accurate and Reliable MRI-derived Volumetrics in Alzheimer's Disease and Normal Elderly
Published on: April 14, 2014
12:30A Comprehensive Protocol for Manual Segmentation of the Medial Temporal Lobe Structures
Published on: July 2, 2014
