Researchers from University Hospital, Department of Radiology describe findings in Alzheimer disease
2007 NOV 19 -- Fresh data on Alzheimer disease are presented in the report 'MRI of the 'Alzheimer syndrome'.' "Interest in the identification of cognitive decline in its earliest manifestations and the heterogeneity of clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's disease (AD) explain the growing number of neuroimaging studies of AD. Alzheimer-type lesions are associated with loss of neurons, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect predominantly left atrophic changes in the entorhinal cortex, amygdala and anterior hippocampus several years before the onset of clinical symptoms," scientists writing in the Journal De Neuroradiologie report. "Cerebrovascular disease can mimic AD in the elderly whereas MR markers of subcortical vascular disease-leukoaraiosis, lacunar infarcts, microbleeds, ventricular enlargement, cortical and hippocampal atrophy-appear to be structural changes associated with vascular-related cognitive impairment. Furthermore, analysis of prodromal forms of late-onset dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT) differentiates amnesic single-domain mild cognitive impairment, which shows MR patterns similar to those observed in early-onset DAT, from other predementia patterns without atrophy at the earliest sites of AD pathology. Mesiotemporal atrophy on MRI predicts late-onset DAT, but the current rating scales or measurements of mesiotemporal atrophy do not differentiate anteromesial temporal atrophy that is highly suggestive of AD from predominantly hippocampal atrophy, suggestive of non-AD damage and, usually, vascular disease. The other, most common MRI predictors of late-onset DAT may be considered indirect markers of arterial senescence whereas brain atrophy is diffusely milder and MR markers of small-vessel disease more frequent in late-onset, compared with early-onset, DAT," wrote M.C Henry-Feugeas and colleagues, University Hospital, Department of Radiology. The researchers concluded: "Thus, MRI suggests an overestimation of AD pathology while underestimating 'arteriosclerotic brain degeneration' in the clinical picture of 'Alzheimer syndrome'." Henry-Feugeas and colleagues published their study in the Journal De Neuroradiologie (MRI of the 'Alzheimer syndrome'. Journal De Neuroradiologie, 2007;34(4):220-7). Additional information can be obtained by contacting B.i.c.h.a.t.-.C.l.a.u.d.e.-.B.e.r.n.a.r.d. University Hospital, APHP, Dept. of Radiology, 46, rue Henri-Huchard, 75877 Paris cedex 18, France. The publisher of the Journal De Neuroradiologie can be contacted at: Masson Editeur, 21 Street Camille Desmoulins, Issy, 92789 Moulineaux Cedex 9, France. Keywords: France, Alzheimer Disease. This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.
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