Minimal atrophy of the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus: progression of cognitive impairment

Abstract

Background: In Alzheimer's disease, neurodegenerative atrophy progresses from the entorhinal cortex (ERC) to the hippocampus (HP), limbic system and neocortex. The significance of very mild atrophy of the ERC and HP on MRI scans among elderly subjects is unknown.

Methods: A validated visual rating system on coronal MRI scans was used to identify no atrophy of the HP or ERC (HP(0); ERC(0)), or minimal atrophy of the HP or ERC (HP(ma); ERC(ma)), among 414 participants. Subjects fell into the following groups: (1) ERC(0)/HP(0), (2) ERC(ma)/HP(0), (3) ERC(0)/HP(ma), and (4) ERC(ma)/HP(ma). HP volume was independently measured using volumetric methods.

Results: In comparison to ERC(0)/HP(0) subjects, those with ERC(0)/HP(ma) had impairment on 1 memory test, ERC(ma)/HP(0) subjects had impairment on 2 memory tests and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), while ERC(ma)/HP(ma) subjects had impairment on 3 memory tests, the MMSE and Clinical Dementia Rating. Progression rates of cognitive and functional impairment were significantly greater among subjects with ERC(ma).

Conclusion: Minimal atrophy of the ERC results in greater impairment than minimal atrophy of the HP, and the combination is additive when measured by cognitive and functional tests. Rates of progression to greater impairment were higher among ERC(ma) subjects.

Fig. 1

VRS-MTA. Images depicting 4 degrees of atrophy in HP and ERC. 0 = No atrophy; 1 = minimal atrophy; 2 = mild atrophy; 3 = moderate atrophy; 4 = severe atrophy.

Fig. 2

Frequency of cognitive impairment, defined by clinical diagnosis and CDR scores, for minimal ERC versus HPC atrophy. ∗ p < 0.05, ERC = 1 vs. ERC = 0 for both definitions of cognitive impairment (χ² test).