Volumetric alterations of hippocampal and amygdala subfields in Azheimer's disease
Qi Feng1, Zhehao Zhang2,3, Fengyi Dai2,4
1Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Westlake University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P.R. China.
Background:
Numerous studies have shown that patients with Azheimer's disease (AD) or amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) have atrophy in the hippocampus and amygdala. However, there are few MRI studies that have jointly analyzed the volumes of the 19 hippocampal subfields and the 9 amygdala subfields.
Materials And Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, we used the method of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to analyze the volume differences of hippocampal and amygdala subfields among three groups of 40 normal control (NC), 40 aMCI and 53 AD, and conducted correlation analysis between these subfield volumes with significant differences and the overall cognitive scores.
Results:
Our volumetric analyses revealed significant atrophy in 16 hippocampal subfields among three groups. However, no significant volume loss was observed in the amygdalar subfields after rigorous multiple-testing correction. Interestingly, the atrophy was mainly concentrated in the right hemisphere. In addition, our study also found that the volume of some subfields of the hippocampus was significantly positively correlated with MMSE and MoCA scores.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that volume reduction in some hippocampus subfields may serve as a biomarker reflecting cognitive decline in patients with AD and aMCI.
Insights
Volume reduction in specific hippocampus subfields is linked to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). This MRI study highlights potential biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of these neurodegenerative conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurodegeneration
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) are associated with hippocampal and amygdala atrophy.
- Limited research has jointly analyzed volumes of hippocampal and amygdala subfields using MRI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate volumetric differences in hippocampal and amygdala subfields in patients with AD and aMCI compared to controls.
- To explore correlations between subfield volumes and cognitive scores.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study utilizing analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).
- Analyzed volumes of 19 hippocampal and 9 amygdala subfields in 40 normal controls (NC), 40 aMCI, and 53 AD patients.
- Correlated significant subfield volume differences with overall cognitive scores (MMSE, MoCA).
Main Results:
- Significant atrophy observed in 16 hippocampal subfields across the three groups, predominantly in the right hemisphere.
- No significant volume loss detected in amygdalar subfields after multiple-testing correction.
- Positive correlation found between volumes of certain hippocampal subfields and MMSE/MoCA scores.
Conclusions:
- Volume reduction in specific hippocampal subfields may serve as a potential imaging biomarker for cognitive decline in AD and aMCI.
- These findings contribute to understanding the neuroanatomical basis of cognitive impairment in AD and aMCI.
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