A volumetric examination using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) makes possible to evaluate morphological changes in the brain of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The aim of the study presented was to compare the amygdala volume in patients suffering from this disease with anatomical norm and to determine relationship between the amygdala volume and severity of clinical affection. Method: MR volumetric measurements of the amygdala were carried out in 16 patients with Alzheimer’s disease and in 11 healthy volunteers. The inter- and intra-individual variability of measuring was determined. The anatomical volumetric values (norm) were obtained by measuring histological preparations from 16 donors not affected with the disease shortly after death. Cognitive deficiency was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results: In a set of patients with Alzheimer’s disease the amygdala volume was statistically significantly lower (p<0.01) if compared with controls measured by means of MRI. This difference was much more striking in comparison with controls obtained by the measurements on histological sections (p<0.001). Statistically significant correlation was revealed between the amygdala volume and cognitive deficiency expressed by the score reached in the Mini-Mental StateExamination (p<0.0005, r = 0.77). Conclusion: MR volumetry can differentiate reliably patients with neuropathological changes at Alzheimer’s disease from normal population. The results of MRI volumetry correlate with the severity of clinical affection. With sufficient anatomical accuracy of measurements, MRI volumetry is a useful method for evaluating neuropathological changes in vivo in the diagnosing and monitoring the therapy for Alzheimer’s disease.

        Key words: amygdala, Alzheimer’s disease, magnetic resonance, volumetry, anatomical sections