Alzheimer's - Dementia, Author Interviews / 17.12.2013
Alzheimer’s: Distinct Cognitive Deficits Associated with Regional Brain Atrophy
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Lieke Smits drs. L.L. Smits
VU University Medical Center
Department of Neurology - Alzheimer Center
1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?
Answer: In this study we used two visual ratings scales to estimate atrophy of the medial temporal lobe (MTA) and posterior atrophy (PA) on MRI in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. We assessed associations between MTA and PA with cognitive impairment. We found that MTA was associated with worse performance in memory, language and attention, while PA was associated with worse performance in viuso-spatial functioning and executive functioning.
Further stratification for age at diagnosis revealed that in late onset (>65 years old) MTA was associated with impairment in memory, language, visuo-spatial functioning and attention. In early onset patients (<65 years old), worse performance on visuo-spatial functioning almost reached significance.
(more…)