CT-Detected MTA Score Related to Disability and Behavior in Older People with Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Our study aims to investigate the relationship between medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) score, assessed by computed tomography (CT) scans, and functional impairment, cognitive deficit, and psycho-behavioral disorder severity. Overall, 239 (M = 92, F = 147; mean age of 79.3 ± 6.8 years) patients were evaluated with cognitive, neuropsychiatric, affective, and functional assessment scales. MTA was evaluated from 0 (no atrophy) to 4 (severe atrophy). The homocysteine serum was set to two levels: between 0 and 10 µmol/L, and >10 µmol/L. The cholesterol and glycemia blood concentrations were measured. Hypertension and atrial fibrillation presence/absence were collected. A total of 14 patients were MTA 0, 44 patients were MTA 1, 63 patients were MTA 2, 79 patients were MTA 3, and 39 patients were MTA 4. Cognitive (p < 0.0001) and functional (p < 0.0001) parameters decreased according to the MTA severity. According to the diagnosis distribution, AD patient percentages increased by MTA severity (p < 0.0001). In addition, the homocysteine levels increased according to MTA severity (p < 0.0001). Depression (p < 0.0001) and anxiety (p = 0.001) increased according to MTA severity. This study encourages and supports the potential role of MTA score and CT scan in the field of neurodegenerative disorder research and diagnosis.