PhD Scientific Days 2025

Mental Health Sciences I.

Correlation of Neurocognitive Tests with Brain Regions related to Alzheimer’s Disease

Előadó neve

Koszovácz Vanda

Neptun code

I4HK8C

Előadó munkahelye

Semmelweis University

Előadó telefonszáma

+36709444219

Előadó e-mail címe

koszovacz.v@gmail.com

Az előadás címe

Correlation of Neurocognitive Tests with Brain Regions related to Alzheimer’s Disease

Szerző(k) neve és munkahelye

Vanda Koszovácz¹, Gábor Csukly MD, PhD¹

1: Semmelweis University

Bemutatás módja

Szóbeli

Szekció

Mental Health Sciences I.

Language of the presentation

English

Preferred session

Mental Health Sciences

Összefoglaló szövege

Introduction
Neurocognitive disorders, about 70% of which are attributable to Alzheimer’s disease, are influencing the lives of millions of people worldwide, putting a huge burden on healthcare systems. At the stage of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) early intervention is more feasible and timely initiation of treatment is essential. Structural changes in brain regions such as the entorhinal cortex, the hippocampus and the precuneus can serve as early biomarkers but brain imaging is often expensive and not widely accessible. Thus, cognitive screening tools - such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Saint Louis University Mental Status Examination (SLUMS) - and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (ACE) as a comprehensive and broadly used cognitive assessment, play a crucial role in early detection.
Aims
This study aims to examine the correlation between the thickness of the entorhinal cortex and precuneus, the volume of the hippocampus, and scores from the SLUMS, ACE, and MMSE tests.
Methods
SLUMS, ACE, MMSE and 3 Tesla brain MRI scans were administered as part of a larger-scale study, participants were recruited through that study. Seventy-three participants aged 50 and above (mean age = 69.1, SD = 8.22; 38 females, 35 males) completed both the MRI scans and neurocognitive assessments.
Results
Using Spearman’s rho, SLUMS scores correlated with precuneus thickness (ρ = 0.456, p < 0.001), hippocampal volume (ρ = 0.482, p < 0.001), and entorhinal cortex thickness (ρ = 0.193, p = 0.102). MMSE scores correlated with precuneus thickness (ρ = 0.347, p = 0.003), hippocampal volume (ρ = 0.478, p < 0.001), and entorhinal cortex thickness (ρ = 0.195, p = 0.097). ACE scores correlated with precuneus thickness (ρ = 0.377, p = 0.001), hippocampal volume (ρ = 0.485, p < 0.001), and entorhinal cortex thickness (ρ = 0.167, p = 0.157).
Conclusion
The three cognitive tests demonstrated similar patterns of correlation with brain regions known to be affected early in Alzheimer’s disease. SLUMS, in particular, may serve as a practical and efficient screening tool, especially for general practitioners who are often the first point of contact for individuals with emerging symptoms.

University

Semmelweis University

Supervisor

Gábor Csukly MD, PhD

Publication of my abstract

I give consent to the publication of my abstract on the website of the congress.

phd.section.field

in doctoral studies after complex exam (PhD)

Kind

Szabad

Status

elfogadva

Accepted presentation method

szóbeli

Előadás fájl jóváhagyás

nem hagyta jóvá

Előadó

8123

Start

15:45

End

16:00