Wide temporal horns are associated with cognitive dysfunction, as well as impaired gait and incontinence

• The association between morphology of the brain and symptoms of suspected idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is largely unknown. We investigated how ventricular expansion (width of the temporal horns [TH], callosal angle [CA], and Evans' index [EI]) related to symptom severity in suspected iNPH. Participants (n=168; 74.9 years +/- SD 6.7; 55% females) from the general population underwent neurological examination, computed tomography, and neuropsychological testing. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that wide TH was independently associated with all examined iNPH symptoms (p<0.01) except for fine-motor performance, whereas a narrow CA only was associated to specific motor and cognitive functions (p<0.05). TH and EI correlated significantly with incontinence (r(s) 0.17 and r(s) 0.16; p<0.05). In conclusion, wide TH was significantly associated with most iNPH-symptoms. This finding potentially reflects the complex nature of the hippocampus, however further studies are needed to demonstrate functional connectivity.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

normal-pressure hydrocephalus

shunt surgery

radial width

hippocampal-formation

corpus-callosum

variability

ventricle

scale

mri

Science & Technology - Other Topics

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)