Background. The aim of the present study was to investigate neuropsychological functions in
dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) with respect to morphological changes that were revealed
by quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Methods. Twenty patients with DAT (NINCDS-ADRDA criteria) and 10 healthy age and sex
matched controls were included. The neuropsychological function was evaluated on a test
battery covering the severity of dementia, verbal and visual memory, concentration and
attention, language skills and general intelligence as well as activities of daily living. 3D MRI
sequences were acquired using a 1.5 T Siemens MAGNETOM. Whole brain volume, total
intracranial volume (TIV), volume of the frontal and temporal lobes and volumes of the
amygdalahippocampus complex (AHC) were assessed using the newly developed software NMRWin.
Results. Apart from TIV all morphometric parameters differed significantly between the
diagnostic groups. AHC volumes discriminated best between the groups, with only a small overlap.
AHC atrophy exceeded generalized atrophy. These findings were confirmed when the data were
reanalysed after dividing the DAT patients into a mildly and moderately affected group. The
severity of dementia was significantly correlated with the volumes of the AHC and the volumes
of the temporal lobes bilaterally, but not with the whole brain volume and the volumes of the
frontal lobes.
Conclusions. These results underline the important role of the temporal substructures for
aetiology and progression of DAT. They indicate that the volume of the AHC can be
monitored by MRI and may be used to follow up the disease process.