Cerebral white matter lesions and cognitive function in a non-demented Chinese veteran cohort

This study examined the association between cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs) and cognitive function in a male, non-demented Chinese veteran cohort. A total of 662 participants underwent CT scan and cognitive function assessments; 51 were excluded from the analysis because they exhibited non-lacunar infarcts or suspected dementia. Subjects were allocated to one of four groups according to WML status and between-group comparisons were made for seven cognitive function tests. Logistic regression was used to assess odds ratios for impaired performance associated with WML status. In all cognitive tests, subjects with severe WMLs differed significantly from those without WMLs or with mild WMLs, and in three tests subjects with severe WMLs differed significantly from those with moderate WMLs. For each cognitive test severe WMLs were strongly associated with increased risk of impaired performance. Severe WMLs were associated with greater diminished cognitive function and there may be a WML threshold after which, in elderly Chinese subjects, an impact on cognitive function occurs.