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Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
White matter lesion subtypes and cognitive deficits in patients with memory impairment
Vidar Stenset1, Dag Hofoss, Audun Elnaes Berstad
1Department of Neurology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway. vidar.stenset@medisin.uio.no
Aim:
To analyze the relationship between periventricular (PV) and subcortical (SC) white matter lesions (WML) and cognitive function in patients with memory impairment.
Methods:
In total, 253 patients with Global Deterioration Scale scores >or=3 who had been referred to a university-based memory unit due to memory complaints were included (mean age 69.7 years, 124 females). Cognitive function was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination (Cognistat), and full test results were available for 217 patients. PV and SC WML loads (semi-quantitative rating on axial T(2)-weighted MRI scans) were used in linear regression as predictors of cognition.
Results:
MMSE was significantly correlated with SC WML (p = 0.005), but not with PV WML (p = 0.19). Cognistat tests for orientation, comprehension, visuoconstruction, calculation, similarities, and judgment were negatively correlated with SC WML (p < 0.01), as was verbal memory with parieto-occipital SC WML (p < 0.05). Visuoconstruction and calculation were negatively correlated with PV WML (p < 0.05). Parieto-occipital WML were more strongly related to cognition than fronto-temporal WML. Only SC WML were significantly correlated with cognition when PV and SC WML were entered simultaneously in the regression model.
Conclusion:
In patients with cognitive impairment, SC WML, in particular in parieto-occipital regions, were associated with reduced cognitive function.
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