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Decline in intelligence is associated with progression in white matter hyperintensity volume
E Garde1, E Lykke Mortensen, E Rostrup
1National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Dementia Research Centre, Box 16, 8-11 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK. elleng@magnet.drcmr.dk
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|August 19, 2005
Summary
White matter hyperintensities (WMH) increase over time in healthy elderly individuals. This progression is linked to declines in verbal and performance cognitive abilities, suggesting WMH is a risk factor for cognitive impairment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gerontology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are common in aging brains.
- Their progression and association with cognitive decline in non-demented elderly are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the progression of WMH over time.
- To assess the relationship between WMH progression and cognitive decline in octogenarians.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of a Danish cohort (n=26) born in 1914.
- Neuropsychological assessment (Wechsler adult intelligence scale) and cerebral MRI at ages 80 and 85.
- Quantification of WMH volumes and correlation analysis between WMH change and cognitive decline.
Main Results:
- Median WMH volume increase was 2.6 ml over approximately 3.8 years (p<0.001).
- Increased WMH volume correlated with decline in verbal IQ (r = -0.65, p = 0.001).
- Baseline WMH associated with decline in performance subtests (digit symbol, r = -0.57, p = 0.02).
Conclusions:
- WMH progression is associated with cognitive decline in cognitively preserved elderly.
- WMH should be considered a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia.