Exploring the cognitive assessment potential of MRI‐based volumetric hippocampal segmentation in Parkinson's disease

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To investigate the potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based total and segmental hippocampus volume analysis in the assessment of cognitive status in Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods We divided participants into three groups Group A‐Parkinson patients (Pp) with normal cognitive status (n = 25), Group B‐Pp with dementia (n = 17), and Group C‐healthy controls (n = 37). Three‐dimensional T1W Fast Spoiled Gradient Recalled Echo images were used for Volbrain hippocampus subfield segmentation. We used the “Winterburn” protocol, which divides the hippocampus into five segments, Cornu Ammonis (CA),CA2/CA3, CA4/dentate gyrus, stratum radiatum, lacunosum, and moleculare, and subiculum. Results A total of 79 participants were included in the study, consisting of 42 individuals with PD (64.2% male) and 37 healthy controls (54.1% male). The mean age of PD was 60.9 ± 10.7 years and the mean age of control group was 59.27 ± 12.3 years. Significant differences were found in total hippocampal volumes between Group A and B (p = .047. Statistically significant group differences were found in total, right, and left CA1 volumes (analysis of variance [ANOVA]: F(2,76) = 8.098, p = .001; F(2,76) = 7.628, p = .001; F(2,76) = 5.084, p = .008, respectively), as well as in total subiculum volumes (ANOVA: F(2,76) = 4.368, p = .016). Post hoc tests showed that total subiculum volume was significantly lower in individuals with normal cognitive status (0.474 ± 0.116 cm3) compared to healthy controls (0.578 ± 0.151 cm3, p = .013). Conclusion Volumetric hippocampal MRI can be used to assess the cognitive status of Pp. Longitudinal studies that evaluate Pp who progress from normal cognition to dementia are required to establish a causal relationship.

Keywords

• hippocampus
• magnetic resonance imaging
• Parkinson disease