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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Elderly patients may present with prominent cognitive complaints and have performances in neuropsychological tests
within the normal range for the age and education, and thus do not fulfill the criteria for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). There is
insufficient evidence to support the clinical decision in these cases (“pre-MCI”). Forty-three subjects, 11 controls, 15 “pre-MCI,”
and 17 MCI, were followed for about three and half years with neuropsychological testing and magnetic resonance imaging
including volumetric measurements of the hippocampus and amygdala. Two of the “pre-MCI” subjects suffered cognitive and
functional deterioration and were diagnosed with dementia. Although the “pre-MCI” subjects as a group had no significant
deterioration in neuropsychological tests, they suffered a decline in the total hippocampal volume (P = 0.04) along the follow-up
time. In contrast, all control subjects remained stable and had no volumetric decreases. As expected, MCI patients underwent
significant deterioration in several neuropsychological tests, often progressed to Alzheimer’s disease, and showed decreases both
in total hippocampal and amygdalar volumes. Elderly people presenting with cognitive complaints may be in an initial phase of
a degenerative disorder and should be followed clinically, even if they have normal neuropsychological tests.
Description
Keywords
Aging Alzheimer’s disease Amygdala Dementia Hippocampus Magnetic resonance imaging Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Pre-MCI Volumetry
Citation
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 19, 137-145