Alzheimer Disease · Pathology

Which macroscopic brain change is most characteristic of advanced Alzheimer disease?

  1. Diffuse swelling and loss of sulci
  2. Symmetrical atrophy with narrowed gyri and widened sulci
  3. Knife-edge atrophy localized only to the frontal pole
  4. Depigmentation of the substantia nigra
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Correct answer: Symmetrical atrophy with narrowed gyri and widened sulci

Alzheimer disease causes significant cortical atrophy, most prominent in the hippocampus, temporal, and parietal lobes. This results in the characteristic 'widened sulci' and 'narrowed gyri' seen on gross inspection.

Difficulty: Medium Question 6 of 20

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