Volumetria do hipocampo por ressonância magnética em idosos e sua relação com funcionamento cognitivo e comportamental

Abstract

Introduction: The process of healthy aging is accompanied by a gradual decline in some cognitive abilities, particularly those related to executive functioning and episodic memory, which makes learning slower. Anatomical changes in neural structures, such as the reduction of total brain volume are observed, making it vulnerable during aging. Behavioral changes such as symptoms of depression and anxiety may also influence the performance in cognitive functions during aging. A major challenge when it comes to cognition in the elderly is to establish the boundaries between normal and pathological. Recent studies on healthy aging demonstrate that the hippocampal volume decreases in late adulthood and this phenomenon is correlated with cognitive decline. Objectives: Correlate the hippocampal volumetry with performance in cognitive and behavioral functioning in a group of elderly subjects. Patients and Methods: The study sample consisted of elderly adults that had undergone the hippocampal volumetry by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at the Center of Diagnostic imaging Hospital São Lucas PUCRS. From these patients, 58 participants, with complaints of forgetfulness, aged 60 years or older were invited to take part of the study. The tests used to asses behavioral and cognitive functions were: Wechsler Memory Scale - III (WMS - III), frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Beck Anxiety inventory (BAI). Results and Conclusions: The results demonstrated correlation (0.65; P < 0.001) between hippocampal volume and performance of executive tasks, and episodic memory (0.48; P < 0.001). However, the hippocampal volume was not correlated with behavioral outcomes (depression and anxiety). There was a correlation between the volume of the hippocampus, episodic memory, and the socio-demographic variables: age, gender, income and years of education.