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Open Access 01-12-2009 | Neuro

Accelerating regional atrophy rates in the progression from normal aging to Alzheimer’s disease

Authors: Jasper D. Sluimer, Wiesje M. van der Flier, Giorgos B. Karas, Ronald van Schijndel, Josephine Barnes, Richard G. Boyes, Keith S. Cover, Sílvia D. Olabarriaga, Nick C. Fox, Philip Scheltens, Hugo Vrenken, Frederik Barkhof

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 12/2009

Abstract

We investigated progression of atrophy in vivo, in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We included 64 patients with AD, 44 with MCI and 34 controls with serial MRI examinations (interval 1.8 ± 0.7 years). A nonlinear registration algorithm (fluid) was used to calculate atrophy rates in six regions: frontal, medial temporal, temporal (extramedial), parietal, occipital lobes and insular cortex. In MCI, the highest atrophy rate was observed in the medial temporal lobe, comparable with AD. AD patients showed even higher atrophy rates in the extramedial temporal lobe. Additionally, atrophy rates in frontal, parietal and occipital lobes were increased. Cox proportional hazard models showed that all regional atrophy rates predicted conversion to AD. Hazard ratios varied between 2.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1–6.2) for occipital atrophy and 15.8 (95% CI = 3.5–71.8) for medial temporal lobe atrophy. In conclusion, atrophy spreads through the brain with development of AD. MCI is marked by temporal lobe atrophy. In AD, atrophy rate in the extramedial temporal lobe was even higher. Moreover, atrophy rates also accelerated in parietal, frontal, insular and occipital lobes. Finally, in nondemented elderly, medial temporal lobe atrophy was most predictive of progression to AD, demonstrating the involvement of this region in the development of AD.

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Title: Accelerating regional atrophy rates in the progression from normal aging to Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Jasper D. Sluimer
Wiesje M. van der Flier
Giorgos B. Karas
Ronald van Schijndel
Josephine Barnes
Richard G. Boyes
Keith S. Cover
Sílvia D. Olabarriaga
Nick C. Fox
Philip Scheltens
Hugo Vrenken
Frederik Barkhof
Publication date: 01-12-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 12/2009
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-009-1512-5

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Accelerating regional atrophy rates in the progression from normal aging to Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

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