J Korean Geriatr Psychiatry.  2007 Dec;11(2):83-90.

Correlation between Head Circumference and Visuospatial Ability of Elderly in Community

• Kim KR
• Lee KS
• Hong CH
• Cheong HK
• Oh BH

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study is to find out the correlation between head circumference and visuospatial function of the elderly in community.
METHODS
A total of 463 subjects (170 men and 293 women) aged 60-91 years were analyzed from preliminary data of GDEMCIS (Gwangju Dementia and MCI Study). The study questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics, current and past illness history, drug history, K-MMSE, SNSB-D. We also measured head circumference and examined ApoE genotype.
RESULTS
On regression analysis, as head circumference become smaller, visuospatial memory scores (S-Rey immediate recall & delayed recall) decreased adjusted by age, height, sex, educational level, ApoE epsilon 4 allele, current smoking and alcohol drinking (beta=0.18, p=0.002, beta=0.15, p=0.01). Presence of ApoE epsilon 4 allele has no direct correlation with head circumference and cognitive decline. CONCLSION: As head circumference become smaller, only visuospatial memory scores decreased significantly. These results suggest that visuospatial memory function might be one of the sensitive markers of brain reserve differences.

Keyword

Head circumference; Visuo-spatial memory; Neuropsychological test; SNSB-D; Elderly; Brain reserve

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Alcohol Drinking
Alleles
Apolipoproteins E
Cognitive Reserve
Dementia
Genotype
Head*
Humans
Male
Memory
Memory, Short-Term
Neuropsychological Tests
Surveys and Questionnaires
Smoke
Smoking
Apolipoproteins E
Smoke