Size does matter in the long run: hippocampal and cortical volume predict recall across weeks.
OBJECTIVE
To study the morphometric determinants of recall of verbal material for an extended period in an adult lifespan sample.


METHODS
Healthy adults of varying ages were studied using automated segmentation of MRI scans with volumes of hippocampus, cortex, and white matter, and verbal memory tests assessing recall after 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and a mean period of 11 weeks. Stepwise regression analyses were performed with 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and 11-week recall as the dependent variables. Hippocampal, cortical, and white matter volumes were included in the initial set of predictor variables in each case, and the analyses were repeated with age as an additional predictor variable.


RESULTS
When age was not included, cortical volume was the only variable predicting recall after 5 and 30 minutes, whereas hippocampal and cortical volumes predicted recall after 11 weeks. When age was included in the model, this was the only variable predicting recall after 5 and 30 minutes, whereas age and hippocampus gave contributions in prediction of recall after several weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports a critical role of cortical and hippocampal size in recall. Hippocampal size seems more important in recall after 11 weeks than after a shorter time interval.
Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1094, Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway. kristine@walhovd.com
K B
KB
Walhovd
A M
AM
Fjell
I
I
Reinvang
A
A
Lundervold
B
B
Fischl
B T
BT
Quinn
A M
AM
Dale
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013997:Time Factors