Subclinical Declines in the Verbal Fluency and Motor Regulation of Patients with AVIM (Asymptomatic Ventriculomegaly with Features of Idiopathic NPH on MRI): A Case-controlled Study
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- Iseki Chifumi
- Department of Neurology, Hematology, Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetology, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Japan
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- Takahashi Yoshimi
- Department of Neurology, Hematology, Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetology, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Japan
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- Wada Manabu
- Department of Neurology, Hematology, Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetology, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Japan
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- Kawanami Toru
- Department of Neurology, Hematology, Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetology, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Japan
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- Kato Takeo
- Department of Neurology, Hematology, Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetology, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Japan
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Abstract
Objective We previously reported that, on brain MRI, iNPH features were observed in approximately 1% of asymptomatic elderly community dwellers. This phenomenon is designated asymptomatic ventriculomegaly with features of iNPH on MRI (AVIM). The aim of the present study was to clarify whether a subclinical decline in the neuropsychological function is present in patients with AVIM.<br> Methods We examined eight subjects with AVIM, six subjects with possible iNPH and 21 elderly controls. Neuropsychological tests were used, including the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), the Hasegawa dementia scale-revised (HDS-R), the frontal assessment battery (FAB), the trail making test A&B and semantic and letter verbal fluency tests.<br> Results When comparing the individuals with AVIM with the control subjects, significant differences were found in the scores achieved on the semantic verbal fluency tests and Luria's motor series (fist-edge-palm), a subtest of the FAB.<br> Conclusion The present study suggests that individuals with AVIM demonstrate a slight subclinical decline in the cognitive function and motor regulation, which may represent a prodromal stage of iNPH.<br>
Journal
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- Internal Medicine
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Internal Medicine 52 (15), 1687-1690, 2013
The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine