Computerized axial tomograms and dementia in elderly patients.

A correlational study comparing CT findings with the degree of dementia in 59 elderly patients revealed that cortical atrophy was related to age but not to dementia. Ventricular enlargement was also related to age but was statistically correlated with dementia. There was no relationship between cortical atrophy and ventricular size. These data suggest that CT findings of cortical atrophy in elderly patients should not be accepted as evidence of senile dementia.