Alterations in the planum temporale in patients with Alzheimer disease estimated via a new volumetric method
Abstract
Investigations of an anatomical brain asymmetry focus frequently on the planum temporale (PT), because of its often studied relationship to handedness and language laterality. Generally, right-handers, when compared to left-handers demonstrate a higher left-right asymmetry in the area of the PT and that the degrese of laterality is higher in men than woman.
This study evaluates the alterations in the area and in the volume of the PT from the right and left hemisphere of demented and nondemented control patiens via a new volumetric method. Our results demonstrate the moderate increase in the degrese of left-right laterality for the area, the marked decrease in the left hemisphere for the cortical height and the mild increase in the degrese of left-right laterality for the volume of the PT in Alzheimer disease patients when compared to nondemented subjects.
No significant alterations in the degrese of lateralization but similar trends were observed in the group with vascular dementia, however, the change in the cortical height was found only in the left PT of Alzheimer disease patients