The entorhinal cortex atrophy score for diagnostic distinction between phases of the Alzheimer's disease continuum.
Maria Luiza Vasconcelos Montenegro, Cesar Francisco Penninck de Aguiar Kato, Andressa Rebecah Eloi Batista et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review assessed the Entorhinal Cortex Atrophy (ERICA) visual score for distinguishing subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia. Six studies were included, comprising 844 participants: two retrospective cohort studies and four cross-sectional studies. ERICA had lower sensitivity but higher specificity than the medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) score, with examiner reproducibility similar to or greater than MTA. The review concluded that ERICA has satisfactory diagnostic accuracy for differentiating SCD or MCI from AD dementia, while noting that the available evidence is limited and heterogeneous.
Key findings
- Six studies with 844 participants were included: two retrospective cohorts and four cross-sectional studies.
- Compared with the MTA score, ERICA showed lower sensitivity but higher specificity.
- ERICA’s inter-examiner reproducibility was similar to or greater than that of the MTA score.
- The review judged ERICA’s diagnostic accuracy satisfactory for distinguishing SCD or MCI from AD dementia.
Why it matters
Visual atrophy scores can support assessment of cognitive decline and dementia. The review suggests that ERICA may contribute diagnostic information, particularly where clinical distinction is uncertain, and offers reproducibility comparable to the MTA score. Its lower sensitivity relative to MTA is also relevant when interpreting a score alongside other clinical information.
What to keep in mind
Only six studies were included, and the review describes the literature as limited and heterogeneous. The evidence comprised retrospective cohort and cross-sectional studies.