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Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
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Relationship between white matter changes and cognition in healthy elders

Miho Ota1, Kiyotaka Nemoto, Noriko Sato

  • 1Department of Radiology, Musashi Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashi, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan. ota@ncnp.go.jp

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
|June 12, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in older adults are linked to cognitive changes. Even in healthy individuals, severe WMHs can impact attention and time orientation based on their location.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are frequently observed on T2-weighted MRI in healthy elderly individuals.
  • The clinical significance of these incidental findings regarding cognitive function is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between the extent of white matter changes and cognitive performance in cognitively healthy older adults.
  • To determine if the localization of white matter hyperintensities influences cognitive outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 172 cognitively healthy subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and comprehensive neuropsychological testing.
  • White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) were systematically graded using a four-point scale on T2-weighted MRI sequences.
  • Cognitive function was assessed across various domains, including attention and temporal orientation.

Main Results:

  • Subjects with the most severe white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) demonstrated significantly poorer performance in attention compared to those without WMHs.
  • Severe WMHs in the parieto-occipital regions were associated with impaired disorientation to time.
  • The frontal and basal ganglia regions showed distinct patterns of cognitive impact related to WMH severity.

Conclusions:

  • The presence and severity of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) can subtly affect cognitive function in cognitively healthy elderly individuals.
  • The specific cognitive domains impacted by WMHs are dependent on their anatomical location within the brain.
  • These findings highlight the importance of considering WMHs in the assessment of cognitive aging.

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