224 Measurement of the Hippocampal Volume Among a Sample of Healthy Sudanese Adults

Abstract

Abstract Aim The hippocampus is involved in many functions; most importantly the short-term memory and memory consolidation. Hippocampal volume is an important determinant for cognition, memory function and as an indicator for the development of many diseases such as Alzheimer’s, depression, and schizophrenia. This study aimed to measure the cortical structures of the hippocampus in young adult Sudanese to examine the effect of sex, age, body mass index (BMI) and education on the cortical structures. Method A cross-sectional descriptive community-based study was done. It included 60 individuals within the age range of 20–40, for which, MRI imaging was done using 1.5 Tesla Philips scanners, Version: 3.2.1. T1-weighted images obtained using three-dimensional acquisition by Magnetization Prepared Rapid Acquisition (MP-RAGE). Images were analysed using the BrainSuite software, and the data was analysed using SPSS version 26. Results The mean volume for the right and left hippocampus was 3.22±0.92 cm3 and 3.35±0.79 cm3, respectively. The right hippocampal white matter volume and left hippocampal cortical volume were larger in males than females. There was no significant asymmetry between the right and left sides. There was no statistically significant association between the hippocampal volume and age, educational status, or the BMI. Conclusions Measurements of the right and left hippocampal volume among Sudanese adults goes in line with other international studies. The cortical volume of the hippocampus is not affected by age, BMI, and education level, but can be affected by gender. Further studies with larger samples are required in order to support these data.