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Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Incident lacunes influence cognitive decline: the LADIS study
H Jokinen1, A A Gouw, S Madureira
1Memory Research Unit, Department of Neurology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. hanna.jokinen@helsinki.fi
Neurology
|May 6, 2011
Summary
New lacunar infarcts on MRI scans are linked to faster cognitive decline in executive functions and motor control in elderly individuals with white matter lesions. These findings suggest lacunes contribute to cognitive impairment in small vessel disease.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Gerontology
Background:
- Cerebral small vessel disease is characterized by white matter lesions (WML) and lacunar infarcts on MRI.
- The impact of WML on cognitive decline is known, but the role of lacunes is less understood.
- This study examines if new lacunes predict cognitive changes in elderly individuals with WML.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if incident lacunes on MRI influence the rate of cognitive decline in elderly subjects with existing white matter lesions.
- To investigate the specific cognitive domains affected by the development of new lacunes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Leukoaraiosis and Disability Study (LADIS) with 387 participants.
- Repeated MRI and neuropsychological assessments were conducted at baseline and after a 3-year follow-up.
- Multivariate linear regression analyzed predictors of cognitive change over time.
Main Results:
- Incident lacunes correlated with a decline in executive functions and speed/motor control scores.
- No significant association was found between new lacunes and memory or global cognitive function decline.
- White matter lesion progression independently predicted a decrease in executive functions.
Conclusions:
- New lacunar infarcts are associated with accelerated decline in executive functions and psychomotor speed.
- Lacunes, alongside WML, contribute to longitudinal cognitive impairment in small vessel disease.
- While modest individually, lacunes signify a risk for progressive cognitive decline and should not be disregarded.
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