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P1‐218: Subjective memory complaints and increased rates of brain atrophy are risk factors for mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease
Author(s) -
Archer Hilary
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2008.05.807
Subject(s) - atrophy , hippocampus , neuropsychology , hippocampal formation , magnetic resonance imaging , medicine , cognitive decline , psychology , cardiology , cognition , memory impairment , cognitive impairment , audiology , dementia , disease , neuroscience , radiology
Background: The aim of this study was to determine rates of hippocampal and brain atrophy in individuals with symptoms of memory loss but no objective cognitive impairment (SNCI) and subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to assess whether rates of loss identify individuals at risk of future cognitive decline. Methods: Thirty-two subjects with SNCI, 17 MCI subjects and 32 healthy control subjects had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and one year later. Hippocampal, ventricular and brain volumes and rates of change were measured with serial scans. The outcome of the study was the clinical diagnosis at 2 years based upon clinical and neuropsychological assessments performed at baseline and at one and two years. Results: The MCI group had significantly greater annual rates of whole brain atrophy (1.1 /-0.7 %/y) and total hippocampal atrophy (2.9 /-1.6 %/y) than either the SNCI (whole brain: 0.4 /-0.6%/y; hippocampus 0.9 /-1.4%/y) or control (whole brain: 0.5 /-0.6%/y; hippocampus 0.7 /-0.9%/y) groups. Within the SNCI group, both decreased cross-sectional volumes and increased rates of cerebral change were associated with future cognitive decline and conversion to MCI or AD; this was independent of clinical information at baseline or one year. Rates of atrophy in the SNCI converters were similar to the rate in the MCI converters group. Conclusions: The SNCI group includes individuals with symptoms of memory loss, without objective memory deficits who will progress to MCI or AD over a two year period. These individuals have rates of cerebral loss that are similar to MCI subjects who convert to AD and are likely to represent very early AD.