Assessing the Relationship of White Matter Hyperintensities and Grey Matter to Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Year: 2017
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), including apathy, irritability and depression, are frequently encountered in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Focal brain lesions, particularly in the frontotemporal regions, have been linked to the development of NPS. Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) can cause focal lesions and is common among patients with AD. CVD can be detected on MRI as white matter hyperintensities (WMH). The current study aimed to evaluate WMH burden and regional cortical atrophy in MCI and AD and determine their relationship with NPS. WMH and grey matter lobar volumes were measured and NPS were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. We found lower frontal, temporal and parietal GM volume and higher frontal WMH volume to be associated with NPS, with GM atrophy associated with symptom progression over 2 years. This study could provide a better understanding of the pathophysiology of NPS in AD and other dementias.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Karen Misquitta
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2778435936