Journal article

Patterns of gray matter atrophy in dementia with Lewy bodies: A voxel-based morphometry study

R Watson, JT O'Brien, R Barber, AM Blamire

International Psychogeriatrics | CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS | Published : 2012

Open access

Abstract

Background: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a common form of dementia characterized by visual hallucinations, cognitive fluctuation and parkinsonism. We aimed to compare the patterns of gray matter atrophy in DLB with those in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and normal aging, and to investigate the relationship between atrophy and cognitive measures. Methods: We used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to investigate gray matter (GM) loss in DLB (n = 35; mean age = 78.4; MMSE = 20.3), AD (n = 36; mean age = 78.3; MMSE = 19.5) and similar aged controls (n = 35; mean age = 76.7; MMSE = 29.1). T1 weighted MRI scans were acquired at 3 Tesla from all subjects and analyzed using VBM-DARTEL in SPM8. Cognitiv..

View full abstract

University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Awarded by Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust


Funding Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust (grant number 05/JTA). We thank Josh Wood, Assistant Psychologist and members of NE-DeNDRoN, Karen Morgan and Barbara Wilson for their assistance with recruitment and assessment of study participants, and the Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre radiographers. We also thank Sean Colloby, Institute for Ageing and Health, for his support with the image analysis.