Early‐onset Alzheimer's disease: An analysis of CT findings

Brain computed tomographic scan of 60 patients with early‐onset Alzheimer's disease (mean age, 60.7 years) were compared awith those of age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects. Computed tomographic analysis included standard ventricular measurements as well as subjectice ratings of ventriculat sulcal size. These indiceswere correlated with the results of a battery of neuropsychological tests and electroencephalographic findings. Linear measurements of ventricular size were significantly greater in the patients with Alzheimer's disease than in the age‐matched control group (p<0.0005). Using subjective appraisal of ventricular and sulcal size, the neuroradiologist noted anmormalities significantly more often in patients than in controls (p<0.0005). Linear measurements of ventricular size correlated significantly (p<0.05) with the severity of aphasia and dementia and the presence of electroemcephalographic abnormalities. There was, however, no correlation between the subjective judgement of cortical atrophy and degree impairment as measured byneuropsychological tests. The fidings in this study demonstrate the usefulness of computed tomographic imaging Alzheimer's disease of early onset.