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Age-related white matter changes and cognitive impairment
José M Ferro1, Sofia Madureira
1Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, Serviço de Neurologia, Hospital Santa Maria, 1649-035 Lisbon, Portugal. jmferro@iscvt.com
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|November 6, 2002
Summary
Age-related white matter changes (WMC) are linked to cognitive decline in older adults. Most evidence supports this association, affecting mental processing speed, attention, and executive functions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gerontology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Age-related white matter changes (WMC) are common in older individuals.
- The association between WMC and cognitive impairment is under investigation across diverse populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence linking WMC to cognitive impairment.
- To identify cognitive domains most affected by WMC.
- To discuss methodological challenges and future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing literature.
- Analysis of studies in various subject groups (community-dwelling, stroke patients, etc.).
- Discussion of methodological limitations in negative studies.
Main Results:
- The majority of studies indicate a significant association between WMC and cognitive impairment.
- Cognitive domains frequently impacted include processing speed, attention, concentration, executive functions, and visuospatial skills.
Conclusions:
- Evidence predominantly supports a link between WMC and cognitive impairment.
- Methodological issues in some studies may explain conflicting results.
- Longitudinal studies with well-defined cohorts are needed to further elucidate the WMC-cognition relationship.