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Psychiatr Prax 2006; 33(3): 138-144
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-915464
Originalarbeit
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Beziehungen zwischen Demenz und dem Kopfumfang als Maß der Reservekapazität: Ergebnisse der Bayerischen Schulschwesternstudie

Associations Between Dementia and Head Circumference as a Measure of Brain Reserve - Results from the Bavarian School Sisters StudyHorst  Bickel1 , Matthias  Riemenschneider1 , Alexander  Kurz1
  • 1Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Technischen Universität München, Klinikum rechts der Isar
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Publication History

Publication Date:
03 April 2006 (online)

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Zusammenfassung

Anliegen: Es wird der Frage nachgegangen, ob der Kopfumfang mit dem Vorkommen von Demenz und kognitiver Beeinträchtigung im Alter assoziiert ist. Methode: Querschnittstudie an den über 65-jährigen Mitgliedern einer religiösen Frauenkongregation, die ihr gesamtes Erwachsenenalter unter ähnlichen Umgebungsbedingungen verbracht haben. Ergebnisse: Ein geringerer Kopfumfang war signifikant mit höherer Demenzprävalenz sowie mit verminderter kognitiver Leistungsfähigkeit in Testverfahren und nach Fremdbeurteilung assoziiert. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse stützen die Hypothese, dass ein größeres Gehirn die Reservekapazität gegenüber kognitiven Beeinträchtigungen im Alter erhöht.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the relationship of head circumference as a marker of maximal attained brain size to late-life cognitive impairment and dementia. Methods: Cognitive performance was assessed and the presence of dementia was diagnosed in a cross-sectional study of 442 Catholic sisters aged 65 years and over. Results: A head circumference below average was significantly associated with the presence of dementia even after adjustment for age, body mass index and presence of one or two apolipoproteine E ε4 alleles (OR = 2.0; 95 % CI: 1.1 - 3.6). The combination of small head circumference and apolipoprotein E ε4 strongly increased the risk of dementia (OR = 3.59; 95 % CI: 1.44 - 8.97). Conclusions: The findings support the hypothesis that a larger head size reduces the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in old age.

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Dr. Horst Bickel

Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Technischen Universität München · Klinikum rechts der Isar

Ismaninger Straße 22

81675 München

Email: h.bickel@lrz.tum.de