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Computed Tomography in the Elderly

Changes over Time in a Normal Population

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Jonathan M. Bird ,
Raymond Levy  and
Robin J. Jacoby
Jonathan M. Bird
Affiliation:
The Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospitals and the Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, England
Raymond Levy
Affiliation:
The Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospitals and the Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, England
Robin J. Jacoby
Affiliation:
The Bethlem Royal and Maudsley Hospitals and the Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, England
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Abstract

The clinical, psychometric, and computed tomographic (CT) status of previously fit elderly volunteers is described at follow-up for up to four years. A number of relationships were found between psychometric and CT scores, but a dementing group could not be determined on the basis of a single scan. However, a subtle reduction in cognition over time was significantly related to CT changes, and occurred in 10%. Larger ventricles were also found in a small sub-group, who developed late-onset depressive disorders; recent bereavement was related to ventricular size. Thus a single CT scan may not be a useful discriminatory test in early dementia, but a repeat demonstrating ventricular enlargement, is likely to be significant. In the elderly, cognitive and CT scan deterioration should not be expected unless a disease process is occurring; this may be indicated by subtle cognitive impairment or by late-onset depressive disorder.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 148 , Issue 1 , January 1986 , pp. 80 - 85
Copyright
Copyright © 1986 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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