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Callosal Atrophy Correlates with Temporal Lobe Volume and Mental Status in Alzheimer's Disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

Sandra E. Black ,
Scott D. Moffat ,
David C. Yu ,
Jayson Parker ,
Peter Stanchev  and
Michael Bronskill
Sandra E. Black
Affiliation:
Cognitive Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine and Research Program in Aging, Sunnybrook Women's College and Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.
Scott D. Moffat
Affiliation:
Gerontology Research Center, National, Institute on Aging, Baltimore MD.
David C. Yu
Affiliation:
Cognitive Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine and Research Program in Aging, Sunnybrook Women's College and Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.
Peter Stanchev
Affiliation:
Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Michael Bronskill
Affiliation:
Medical Imaging, SWCHSC and Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract

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Background:

Recent studies have reported significant atrophy of the corpus callosum (CC) in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). However, it is currently unknown whether CC atrophy is associated with specific cortical volume changes in AD. Moreover, possible atrophy in extra-callosal commissures has not been examined to date. The purpose of the present study was to quantify atrophy in two cerebral commissures [the CC and the anterior commissure (AC)], to correlate this measure with cognitive status, and to relate commissural size to independent measures of temporal lobe volume in AD patients.

Methods:

A sample of AD patients and of age- and education-matched normal control subjects (NCs) underwent MRI and a cognitive test battery including the Dementia Rating Scale and Mini Mental State examination. Mid-sagittal regional areas within CC and AC were measured along with superior, middle and inferior temporal lobes volumes.

Results:

Alzheimer's Disease patients had significantly smaller callosa than did NCs. The callosal regions most affected in AD included the midbody, isthmus and genu. The isthmus and midbody areas of the CC were positively correlated with cognitive performance and with superior temporal lobe volume in AD patients. The mid-sagittal area of the AC and the superior temporal volumes did not differ between AD patients and NCs.

Conclusion:

The study demonstrated that the regional morphology of the CC correlates with current cognitive status and temporal lobe atrophy in AD. As well, the lack of difference for the AC suggests that commissural atrophy in AD is regionally specific.

Résumé:

RÉSUMÉ:Introduction:

Des édes réntes ont rapporténe atrophie significative du corps calleux (CC) dans la maladie d’Alzheimer (MA). Cependant, nous ne savons pas si l’atrophie du CC est associéàes changements spéfiques du volume cortical dans la MA. De plus, on n’a jamais examiné’il existait une atrophie des commissures extra-calleuses. Le but de cette éde éit de quantifier l’atrophie au niveau de deux commissures cébrales {le CC et la commissure antéeure (CA)}, de corrér cette mesure à’ét cognitif et de relier la taille commissurale àes mesures indéndantes du volume du lobe temporal chez des patients atteints de MA.

Méthodes et Résultats:

Un éantillon de patients atteints de la MA et de sujets contrô appariépour l’â et le niveau d’écation (CNs) ont subi une RMN et une éluation de la fonction cognitive au moyen de l’éelle de la dénce et du Mini-examen de l’ét mental. Les zones sagittales méanes du CC et la CA ont é mesuré ainsi que le volume des lobes temporaux supéeurs, moyens et inféeurs.

Réltats:

Les patients atteints de la MA avaient une mesure du CC significativement plus petite que les CNs. Les réons du CC les plus atteintes dans la MA comprenaient la partie moyenne du corps, l’isthme et le genou. L’isthme et la réon moyenne du CC éient positivement corrés àa performance cognitive et au volume du lobe temporal supéeur chez les patients atteints de la MA. La réon sagittale moyenne de la CA et les volumes temporaux supéeurs n’éient pas diffénts chez les patients atteints de la MA et les CNs.

Conclusions:

Cette éde déntre que la morphologie réonale du CC est corrée à’ét cognitif et à’atrophie du lobe temporal dans la MA. De plus, l’absence de diffénce au niveau de la CA suggè que l’atrophie commissurale dans la MA est spéfique àa réon.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 27 , Issue 3 , August 2000 , pp. 204 - 209
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2000

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