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Related Experiment Videos

White matter hyperintensities and working memory: an explorative study.

Joukje M Oosterman1, Barbera Van Harten, Henry C Weinstein

  • 1Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 1, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.m.oosterman@uu.nl

Neuropsychology, Development, and Cognition. Section B, Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition
|April 19, 2008
PubMed
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White matter hyperintensities (WMH) impact executive functions. While the Digit Span backward test shows no WMH link, other working memory tests do, especially with frontal lobe hyperintensities.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are prevalent in older adults.
  • WMH are associated with cognitive decline, particularly executive functions like working memory.
  • The Digit Span backward test, a common working memory measure, has shown inconsistent associations with WMH.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and working memory.
  • To determine if detailed WMH analyses and sample selection influence the association with the Digit Span backward test.
  • To explore the link between specific WMH locations and working memory performance.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the Digit Span backward test and additional working memory assessments.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analyzed white matter hyperintensity (WMH) subscores and cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Examined WMH in different white matter regions, focusing on frontal deep white matter.

    • Main Results:

    • Performance on the Digit Span backward test was not associated with white matter hyperintensities (WMH).
    • Other working memory tests demonstrated a significant relationship with WMH.
    • Hyperintensities in frontal deep white matter regions were the strongest predictor of working memory performance.

    Conclusions:

    • The Digit Span backward test may not be sensitive to the effects of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) on working memory.
    • Specific white matter regions, particularly frontal deep white matter, are critical in the WMH-working memory relationship.
    • Further research with detailed WMH analysis is needed to understand cognitive aging.