Neuroimaging findings in twins discordant for Alzheimer's disease

Data from computed tomography (CT) scans of 12 twin pairs in which one part ner had Azheimer's disease (AD) and the other partner is cognitively intact were analyzed to study structural brain features associated with AD while controlling for familial factors. Visual ratings and analysis of quantified are;as and volumes indicated that AD twins showed more dilation of tempora l horns, lateral ventricles and third ventricle, and more atrophy of tempor al lobes, particularly in the anterior temporal/peri-sylvian area, than the ir healthy cotwins. Demented twins did not have smaller intracranial areas or overall brain volumes than their intact partners. The apolipoprotein eps ilon-4 allele was associated with greater dilation of lateral ventricles an d ventricular volume. Significant intrapair correlations were found for tot al intracranial area and volume, cerebellar area and white matter lesions.