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Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
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Cortical thinning in vascular mild cognitive impairment and vascular dementia of subcortical type

Sang Won Seo1, Jaewon Ahn, Uicheul Yoon

  • 1Department of Neurology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.

Journal of Neuroimaging : Official Journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging
|February 18, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment (svMCI) and subcortical vascular dementia (SVaD) show distinct patterns of cortical thinning. Cognitive decline from svMCI to SVaD involves additional lesions in specific brain regions.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) precedes Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  • Subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment (svMCI) may precede subcortical vascular dementia (SVaD).
  • Cortical thinning patterns and ischemia ratings on MRI can elucidate SVaD and svMCI pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Determine differences in cortical atrophy distribution between svMCI and SVaD.
  • Understand the hierarchy between svMCI and SVaD.
  • Investigate the evolution of svMCI into SVaD.

Main Methods:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with 3D volumetric images.
  • Cortical thickness analysis across the entire brain.
  • Comparison of svMCI, SVaD, AD, and normal cognition (NC) groups.

Main Results:

  • svMCI patients showed cortical thinning in frontal, orbitofrontal, cingulate, insula, temporal, and lingual gyri compared to NC.
  • SVaD patients exhibited thinning in all areas affected by svMCI, plus dorsolateral prefrontal and temporal cortices.
  • Distinct patterns of cortical atrophy differentiate svMCI from SVaD.

Conclusions:

  • Findings suggest a hierarchical relationship between svMCI and SVaD.
  • Cognitive decline from svMCI to SVaD is linked to lesions in dorsolateral prefrontal and temporal cortices.
  • Cortical atrophy patterns provide insights into the progression of vascular cognitive impairment.

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