Atrophy of hippocampal subfields and amygdala nuclei in subjects with mild cognitive impairment progressing to Alzheimer's disease

• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27429
• Publication Date: 2024-03-08T21:53:30Z
• Authors: Miriam Punzi; Carlo Sestieri; Eleonora Picerni; Antonio Maria Chi...; Caterina Padulo; Andrea Delli Pizzi; Maria Giulia Tullo; Annalisa Tosoni; Alberto Granzotto; Stefania Della Penna; Marco Onofrj; Antonio Ferretti; Stefano Delli Pizzi; Stefano L. Sensi
• Keywords: Subiculum

The hippocampus and amygdala are the first brain regions to show early signs of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathology. AD is preceded by a prodromal stage known as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), crucial crossroad in clinical progression disease. topographical development has been subject extended investigation. However, it still largely unknown how transition from MCI affects specific hippocampal subregions. present study set answer that question. We analyzed data 223 subjects: 75 healthy controls, 52 individuals with MCI, 96 patients obtained ADNI. group was further divided into two subgroups depending on whether 48 months following diagnosis either remained stable (N = 21) or progressed 31). A MANCOVA test evaluated differences volume distinct subregions magnetic resonance images. Subsequently, stepwise linear discriminant analysis (LDA) determined which combination imaging parameters most effective predicting conversion AD. predictive performance assessed through Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis. displayed widespread subregional atrophy. who showed selective atrophy subiculum tail compared individuals, were undistinguishable controls. Converter amygdala's accessory basal, central, cortical nuclei. LDA identified lateral basal nuclei significant predictors returned sensitivity value 0.78 specificity 0.62. These findings highlight importance targeted assessments help dissect pathophysiological transition.