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The influence of hippocampal atrophy on the cognitive phenotype of dementia with Lewy bodies.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Mactier, Karen 
Colloby, Sean J 
Watson, Rosie 
Blamire, Andrew M 

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The level of hippocampal atrophy in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is typically less than that observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it is not known how the cognitive phenotype of DLB is influenced by hippocampal atrophy or the atrophy of adjacent medial temporal lobe structures. METHODS: Dementia with Lewy bodies (n = 65), AD (n = 76) and control (n = 63) participants underwent 3T magnetic resonance imaging and cognitive Cambridge Cognitive Examination and Mini-Mental State Examination (CAMCOG and MMSE) assessments. Hippocampal volume, and parahippocampal, entorhinal and temporal pole cortical thickness, was compared between groups. Regression models were used to investigate whether hippocampal volume and cortical thickness associated with global cognition and cognitive subdomains. RESULTS: Dementia with Lewy bodies, AD and control participants showed significantly different hippocampal, parahippocampal and entorhinal cortical thinning, where atrophy was greatest in AD and intermediate in DLB. Temporal pole thickness was reduced in DLB and AD compared with control participants. In DLB, but not AD, hippocampal volume associated with total CAMCOG, CAMCOG memory and MMSE scores. In DLB, parahippocampal, entorhinal and temporal pole thickness associated with total CAMCOG and CAMCOG memory scores, parahippocampal thickness associated with MMSE scores, and entorhinal thickness associated with CAMCOG executive function scores. CONCLUSIONS: In this large sample, these results are in agreement with other studies indicating that hippocampal atrophy is less severe in DLB than AD. Hippocampal atrophy and medial temporal lobe cortical thickness were associated with the severity of cognitive symptoms, suggesting that atrophy in these structures, as a potential proxy of AD pathology, may partly mediate specific DLB cognitive symptoms. © 2017 The Authors. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Description

Keywords

Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, hippocampus, magnetic resonance imaging, Aged, Alzheimer Disease, Atrophy, Case-Control Studies, Cognition, Entorhinal Cortex, Executive Function, Female, Hippocampus, Humans, Lewy Body Disease, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Memory, Phenotype, Regression Analysis, Temporal Lobe

Journal Title

Int J Geriatr Psychiatry

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0885-6230
1099-1166

Volume Title

Publisher

Wiley
Sponsorship
This research was supported by the following: Wellcome Trust Starter Grants scheme for Clinical Lecturers (BH090112 to J-P.T.); Wellcome Intermediate Clinical Fellowship (BH083281 to J-P. T.); the Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust (05/JTA) and by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Newcastle Biomedical Research Unit based at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University.