is hippocampal atrophy related to alzheimer`s disease?
Though I have not actively studied in Neurosciences area for over 20 years, I feel qualified to answer because I took a specialist study option looking into the hippocampus and its role in memory formation (particularly memory based on the ‘location’ of people/things) during my degree at Manchester. Yes, there is a relationship but it’s not a simple cause and effect relationship. Hippocampal Atrophy (HA) is a symptom, not a cause. Latest research indicates that: 1. Alzheimers can occur in the absence of HA; 2. HA can occur in the absence of Alzheimers. 3. While the root cause of Alzheimers is, as yet, unknown Alzheimers invariably involves the build-up of amyloid protein plaques, which tends to cause HA and/or atrophy of the cortex. 4. HA can be caused by build up of Beta Amyloid protein plaques (i.e. be caused by one of the intermediate, but not root, causes of Alzheimers), but may occur for other reasons; 5. Treatments and environmental factors (microwaves, nicotine etc) that reduce
