The Amygdala in Neurodegeneration

Abstract

The amygdala is a key anatomic structure that has multiple different nuclei and is involved in several critical aspects of cognition and systemic functions. Several different neurodegenerative diseases have major pathological effects on distinct amygdala nuclei. This presentation will describe the classic and characteristic anatomic distributions in the amygdala of “pure” Alzheimer disease and “pure” Lewy body disease, as well as “normal aging”. In addition, data will be presented on how these classic distributions are altered in either “mixed dementias” or in some atypical forms of neurodegeneration. Amygdala pathology will also be illustrated in several other neurodegenerative diseases. The implications of the differing anatomic distributions in different neurodegenerative diseases will be discussed.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

This presentation will enable the learner to:

Recognize key anatomic divisions of the amygdala

1. 1. Describe how different neurodegenerative diseases affect the amygdala

2. 2. Consider how anatomic specificity of protein aggregation is important in the classification of neurodegenerative diseases