Neuroreader Case Study 2: Longitudinal Imaging of Alzheimer Disease

A 69-year-old woman with memory loss and depression underwent four MRI scans over seven years (ages 62, 64, 66, and 69). Using Neuroreader® volumetric software, progressive changes were quantified and tracked across key brain regions.

Findings

• Hippocampal atrophy was evident, shown by increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the hippocampus.
• Neuroreader® reports demonstrated a consistent decline in hippocampal volume, with connected longitudinal data points shifting from the normal range into abnormally low volumes.
• Temporal lobe atrophy appeared earlier and more severely than frontal lobe changes — a classic hallmark of Alzheimer’s pathology.
• Occipital lobe remained stable until later stages.
• Lateral ventricles showed minimal expansion, suggesting the disease was caught before significant ventricular changes, which are commonly noted in radiology reports but lack specificity for Alzheimer’s.

Clinical Insight

Differentiating late-life depression from dementia can be difficult due to overlapping symptoms. However, longitudinal volumetry builds diagnostic confidence by objectively showing progressive hippocampal and temporal lobe atrophy consistent with Alzheimer’s disease.

Conclusion

This case studs highlights the power of longitudinal volumetric MRI with Neuroreader® in quantifying subtle changes across multiple brain regions. Helping to provide objective, reproducible biomarkers that support earlier and more precise diagnoses.