Browsing by Author "Peiseniece, Evija"

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    Amygdala Nuclei Atrophy in Cognitive Impairment and Dementia : Insights from High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging
    (2025-01-15) Peiseniece, Evija; Zdanovskis, Nauris; Šneidere, Kristīne; Kostiks, Andrejs; Karelis, Guntis; Platkājis, Ardis; Stepens, Ainārs; Department of Radiology; Institute of Public Health; Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy; Department of Infectology
    Background and Objectives: Cognitive impairment affects memory, reasoning, and problem-solving, with early detection being critical for effective management. The amygdala, a key structure in emotional processing and memory, may play a pivotal role in detecting cognitive decline. This study examines differences in amygdala nuclei volumes in patients with varying levels of cognitive performance to evaluate its potential as a biomarker.  Material and methods: This cross-sectional study of 35 participants was conducted and classified into three groups: the normal (≥26), moderate (15-25), and low (≤14) cognitive performance groups based on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging at 3.0 T scanner was used to assess amygdala nuclei volumes.  Results: Significant amygdala atrophy was observed in multiple amygdala nuclei across cognitive performance groups, with more pronounced changes in the low-performance group. The right hemisphere nuclei, including the lateral and basal nuclei, showed more significant differences, indicating their sensitivity to cognitive decline.  Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of amygdala nuclei atrophy as a biomarker for cognitive impairment. Additional research with larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs is needed to confirm these findings and determine their diagnostic value.