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Subcortical brain structures and the risk of dementia in the Rotterdam Study
Isabelle F van der Velpen1,2, Vanja Vlasov3, Tavia E Evans2,4
1Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Introduction:
Volumetric and morphological changes in subcortical brain structures are present in persons with dementia, but it is unknown if these changes occur prior to diagnosis.
Methods:
Between 2005 and 2016, 5522 Rotterdam Study participants (mean age: 64.4) underwent cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and were followed for development of dementia until 2018. Volume and shape measures were obtained for seven subcortical structures.
Results:
During 12 years of follow-up, 272 dementia cases occurred. Mean volumes of thalamus (hazard ratio [HR] per standard deviation [SD] decrease 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.55-2.43), amygdala (HR 1.66, 95% CI: 1.44-1.92), and hippocampus (HR 1.64, 95% CI: 1.43-1.88) were strongly associated with dementia risk. Associations for accumbens, pallidum, and caudate volumes were less pronounced. Shape analyses identified regional surface changes in the amygdala, limbic thalamus, and caudate.
Discussion:
Structure of the amygdala, thalamus, hippocampus, and caudate is associated with risk of dementia in a large population-based cohort of older adults.
