Neuropsychological Correlates of Hippocampal Atrophy in Memory Testing in Nondemented Older Adults

Issue title: 2013 International Congress on Vascular Dementia

Guest editors: Amos D. Korczyn

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Vyhnalek, Martin^{a; b; *} | Nikolai, Tomas^{a; b} | Andel, Ross^{a; c} | Nedelska, Zuzana^{a; b} | Rubínová, Eva^a | Marková, Hana^b | Laczó, Jan^{a; b} | Bezdicek, Ondrej^d | Sheardova, Katerina^a | Hort, Jakub^{a; b}

Affiliations: [a] International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic | [b] Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University in Prague, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic | [c] School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, USA | [d] Department of Neurology and Centre of Clinical Neuroscience, 1st Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital in Prague, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Martin Vyhnalek, Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University in Prague, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu 84, 150 06 Prague 5, Czech Republic. Tel.: +420 22443 6801; Fax: +420 22443 6820; E-mail: martin.vyhnalek@fnmotol.cz.

Abstract: Background and Objective:Cognitive deficits in older adults attributable to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology are featured early on by hippocampal impairment. Among tests used to evaluate memory, verbal memory tests with controlled encoding and cued recall are believed to be specific for hippocampal impairment. The objective of this study was to assess the relation between left and right hippocampal volumes and several frequently used memory tests. Methods:Fifty six nondemented older adults (30 with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and 26 cognitively healthy older adults) underwent neuropsychological testing including: 1) The Enhanced Cued Recall test (ECR), a memory test with controlled encoding and recall; 2) the Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), a verbal memory test without controlled encoding and with delayed recall; and 3) The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure test (ROCF), a visuospatial memory test–recall condition. 1.5T brain MRI scans were used to measure estimated total intracranial volume (eTIV) along with hippocampal right and left volumes, which were measured with quantitative volumetry using FreeSurfer package (version 4.4.0). Spearman partial correlation controlled for age was used to correct for non-normal score distribution and effect of age. Results:We found moderate correlations of hippocampal volumes with AVLT 1–5 scores, AVLT delayed recall, ECR free and total recall, and ROCF reproduction. Total recall in ECR using cued recall was not superior to any of the free recall tests. No correlation in any memory test was achieved with eTIV. Conclusion:Verbal memory tests, either with controlled encoding and cued delayed recall (ECR), or without it (AVLT), as well as nonverbal memory test with delayed recall (ROCF), equally reflect hippocampal atrophy in nondemented older adults.

Keywords: Amnestic mild cognitive impairment, episodic memory, hippocampus, MRI

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-132642

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 42, no. s3, pp. S81-S90, 2014