Magnetic resonance imaging in Alzheimer's disease, multi-infarct dementia, alcoholic dementia and Korsakoff's psychosis.

Regional spin lattice relaxation times (T1) measured during nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the brain were compared in patients with Alzheimer's disease, multi-infarct dementia, alcoholic dementia, Korsakoff's psychosis and control subjects. Regional differences were found between all patient groups compared with controls and within patient groups, with the exception of the comparison between Korsakoff's psychosis and alcoholic dementia. Correlations between regional T1 change and cognitive test scores were also found, with particular emphasis between visuospatial deficits and parietal T1. The possible role of T1 measures in the pathophysiology of these disorders is discussed.