Subcortical brain structures and the risk of dementia in the Rotterdam Study.

Introduction: Volumetric and morphological changes in subcortical brain structures are present in persons with dementia, but it is unknown if these changes occur prior to diagnosis. Methods: Between 2005 and 2016, 5522 Rotterdam Study participants (mean age: 64.4) underwent cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and were followed for development of dementia until 2018. Volume and shape measures were obtained for seven subcortical structures. Results: During 12 years of follow‐up, 272 dementia cases occurred. Mean volumes of thalamus (hazard ratio [HR] per standard deviation [SD] decrease 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.55–2.43), amygdala (HR 1.66, 95% CI: 1.44–1.92), and hippocampus (HR 1.64, 95% CI: 1.43–1.88) were strongly associated with dementia risk. Associations for accumbens, pallidum, and caudate volumes were less pronounced. Shape analyses identified regional surface changes in the amygdala, limbic thalamus, and caudate. Discussion: Structure of the amygdala, thalamus, hippocampus, and caudate is associated with risk of dementia in a large population‐based cohort of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]