In the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, atrophy is most prominent in which region?

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Multiple Choice

In the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, atrophy is most prominent in which region?

Explanation:
Memory formation and consolidation rely on the medial temporal lobe, especially the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. In the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease, these structures degenerate first, so atrophy appears most prominently here. This early loss aligns with the hallmark memory problems—difficulty forming new memories and rapid forgetting—that characterize early AD. Other regions listed, like the occipital cortex, cerebellum, and even the prefrontal cortex, are affected later or to a lesser degree in the course of the disease.

Memory formation and consolidation rely on the medial temporal lobe, especially the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. In the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease, these structures degenerate first, so atrophy appears most prominently here. This early loss aligns with the hallmark memory problems—difficulty forming new memories and rapid forgetting—that characterize early AD. Other regions listed, like the occipital cortex, cerebellum, and even the prefrontal cortex, are affected later or to a lesser degree in the course of the disease.

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