Different Cortical Thinning Patterns Depending on Their Prognosis in Individuals with Subjective Cognitive Decline

• Published in: Dementia and neurocognitive disorders Vol. 18; no. 4; pp. 113 - 121
• Main Authors: Lim, Eun Ye, Shim, Yong Soo, Hong, Yun Jeong, Ryu, Seon Young, Cho, A Hyun, Yang, Dong Won
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korean Dementia Association 01-12-2019; 대한치매학회
• Subjects: Original; 신경과학
• ISSN: 1738-1495; 2384-0757
• DOI: 10.12779/dnd.2019.18.4.113

Background and Purpose: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may be the first stage corresponding to subtle cognitive changes in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) spectrum disorders. We evaluated the differences in cortical thinning patterns among patients with SCD who progressed to mild cognitive impairment or dementia (pSCD), those who remained stable (sSCD), and healthy normal controls (NCs).
Methods: We retrospectively recruited SCD subjects (14 pSCD and 21 sSCD cases) and 29 NCs. Structural 3-dimensional-T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was performed using a single 1.5 Tesla scanner. Freesurfer software was used to map cortical thickness for group comparisons.
Results: Compared with NC group, the sSCD group showed diffuse cortical atrophy associated with bilateral fronto-parieto-temporal area. The pSCD group showed further characteristic cortical atrophy in AD-vulnerable regions including the inferior parietotemporal and middle temporal areas. Cortical thinning in the bilateral medial frontal areas was observed in patients with sSCD and involved the right inferior temporal and left precentral areas in those with pSCD.
Conclusions: Our study showed that SCD subjects exhibit different cortical thinning patterns depending on their prognosis. KCI Citation Count: 0