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Small vessel disease and general cognitive function in nondisabled elderly: the LADIS study
Wiesje M van der Flier1, Elizabeth C W van Straaten, Frederik Barkhof
1Alzheimer Center, Department of Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. wm.vdflier@vumc.nl
Stroke
|September 6, 2005
Summary
White matter hyperintensities (WMH) and lacunes, markers of small vessel disease, are independently linked to cognitive decline in older adults. Evaluating both is crucial for assessing cognitive function in the elderly.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Small vessel disease (SVD) is often indicated by white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and lacunes on cerebral MRI.
- The precise impact of SVD on global cognitive function remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent contributions of WMH and lacunes to general cognitive function.
- To assess cognitive function in independently living elderly individuals with varying degrees of SVD.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the multicenter, multinational Leukokraurosis and Disability (LADIS) study.
- Included 633 independently living participants assessed for cognitive function using MMSE and ADAS.
- WMH and lacunes were rated based on severity and quantity from MRI scans.
Main Results:
- Increased severity of both WMH and lacunes correlated with lower MMSE and ADAS scores.
- Both WMH and lacunes remained significantly associated with MMSE scores when analyzed together.
- WMH severity strongly correlated with ADAS scores, while lacunes showed a less prominent association.
Conclusions:
- WMH and lacunes are independently associated with general cognitive function in elderly individuals.
- Both WMH and lacunes should be considered when evaluating SVD in relation to cognitive function.