Amygdala Nuclei Atrophy in Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Insights from High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging
<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Cognitive impairment affects memory, reasoning, and problem-solving, with early detection being critical for effective management. The amygdala, a key structure in emotional processing and memory, may play a pivotal role in detecting cognitive decline. T...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/1/130 |
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| author | Evija Peiseniece Nauris Zdanovskis Kristīne Šneidere Andrejs Kostiks Guntis Karelis Ardis Platkājis Ainārs Stepens |
| author_facet | Evija Peiseniece Nauris Zdanovskis Kristīne Šneidere Andrejs Kostiks Guntis Karelis Ardis Platkājis Ainārs Stepens |
| author_sort | Evija Peiseniece |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Background and Objectives:</i> Cognitive impairment affects memory, reasoning, and problem-solving, with early detection being critical for effective management. The amygdala, a key structure in emotional processing and memory, may play a pivotal role in detecting cognitive decline. This study examines differences in amygdala nuclei volumes in patients with varying levels of cognitive performance to evaluate its potential as a biomarker. <i>Material and methods:</i> This cross-sectional study of 35 participants was conducted and classified into three groups: the normal (≥26), moderate (15–25), and low (≤14) cognitive performance groups based on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging at 3.0 T scanner was used to assess amygdala nuclei volumes. <i>Results:</i> Significant amygdala atrophy was observed in multiple amygdala nuclei across cognitive performance groups, with more pronounced changes in the low-performance group. The right hemisphere nuclei, including the lateral and basal nuclei, showed more significant differences, indicating their sensitivity to cognitive decline. <i>Conclusions:</i> This study highlights the potential of amygdala nuclei atrophy as a biomarker for cognitive impairment. Additional research with larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs is needed to confirm these findings and determine their diagnostic value. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-64dca748a7234c44a6fca36927c92e6b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1010-660X 1648-9144 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Medicina |
| spelling | doaj-art-64dca748a7234c44a6fca36927c92e6b2025-01-24T13:40:45ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442025-01-0161113010.3390/medicina61010130Amygdala Nuclei Atrophy in Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Insights from High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance ImagingEvija Peiseniece0Nauris Zdanovskis1Kristīne Šneidere2Andrejs Kostiks3Guntis Karelis4Ardis Platkājis5Ainārs Stepens6Department of Radiology, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, LatviaDepartment of Radiology, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, LatviaInstitute of Public Health, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, LatviaDepartment of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Radiology, Riga East Clinical University Hospital, LV-1038 Riga, LatviaDepartment of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Radiology, Riga East Clinical University Hospital, LV-1038 Riga, LatviaDepartment of Radiology, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, LatviaInstitute of Public Health, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Cognitive impairment affects memory, reasoning, and problem-solving, with early detection being critical for effective management. The amygdala, a key structure in emotional processing and memory, may play a pivotal role in detecting cognitive decline. This study examines differences in amygdala nuclei volumes in patients with varying levels of cognitive performance to evaluate its potential as a biomarker. <i>Material and methods:</i> This cross-sectional study of 35 participants was conducted and classified into three groups: the normal (≥26), moderate (15–25), and low (≤14) cognitive performance groups based on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging at 3.0 T scanner was used to assess amygdala nuclei volumes. <i>Results:</i> Significant amygdala atrophy was observed in multiple amygdala nuclei across cognitive performance groups, with more pronounced changes in the low-performance group. The right hemisphere nuclei, including the lateral and basal nuclei, showed more significant differences, indicating their sensitivity to cognitive decline. <i>Conclusions:</i> This study highlights the potential of amygdala nuclei atrophy as a biomarker for cognitive impairment. Additional research with larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs is needed to confirm these findings and determine their diagnostic value.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/1/130amygdalaamygdala atrophyneuroradiologystructural magnetic resonance imagingMontreal Cognitive Assessmentcognition |
| spellingShingle | Evija Peiseniece Nauris Zdanovskis Kristīne Šneidere Andrejs Kostiks Guntis Karelis Ardis Platkājis Ainārs Stepens Amygdala Nuclei Atrophy in Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Insights from High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging Medicina amygdala amygdala atrophy neuroradiology structural magnetic resonance imaging Montreal Cognitive Assessment cognition |
| title | Amygdala Nuclei Atrophy in Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Insights from High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
| title_full | Amygdala Nuclei Atrophy in Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Insights from High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
| title_fullStr | Amygdala Nuclei Atrophy in Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Insights from High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
| title_full_unstemmed | Amygdala Nuclei Atrophy in Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Insights from High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
| title_short | Amygdala Nuclei Atrophy in Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Insights from High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
| title_sort | amygdala nuclei atrophy in cognitive impairment and dementia insights from high resolution magnetic resonance imaging |
| topic | amygdala amygdala atrophy neuroradiology structural magnetic resonance imaging Montreal Cognitive Assessment cognition |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/1/130 |
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