MRI temporal lobe volume measures and neuropsychologic function in Alzheimer's disease

The authors performed quantitation of the temporal lobes using magnetic res onance imaging in 20 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, 20 age-matched aged control subjects, and 26 healthy young volunteers. Compar ed to young subjects, aged controls showed volume reductions in amygdala (1 7%, p=0.02), hippocampus (15%, p=0.0001) and temporal robe (22%, p=0.0001). Compared to aged controls, Alzheimer's subjects showed further volume redu ctions in amygdala (33%, p=0.0001) and hippocampus (20%, p=0.006) but not t emporal robe (7%, p=0.15). In Alzheimer's subjects, left temporal lobe volu me correlated strongly with the Mini Mental State (MMSE) score (adjusted r( 2)=0.46, p=0.0006) whereas right amygdala volume correlated inversely with the noncognitive ADAS score (adjusted r2=0.46, p=0.0006). The authors concl ude that significant volume changes occur in the temporal lobe in aging and in Alzheimer's disease, with the greatest percentage reductions in the amy gdala in Alzheimer's disease. Temporal neocortical atrophy and temporal lim bic atrophy might be associated with different patterns of performance and behavior in Alzheimer's patients.