Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Motor dysfunction correlates with frontal white matter ischemic changes in patients with leukoaraiosis
Miguel Viana-Baptista1, Paulo Bugalho, Constança Jordão
1Neurology Department, Hospital de Egas Moniz (CHLO), 1349-019 Lisbon, Portugal.
Unlabelled:
Objectives. To test the relation between white matter lesions (WML) location and physical performance, in aged patients. Methods.
Subjects:
29 patients (17 males), aged >65 (mean age 72.6 ± 5.2), with leukoaraiosis. WML was quantified with a visual scale; Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) was measured bilaterally in frontal periventricular lesioned white matter and frontal and parieto-occipital normal appearing white matter (NAWM). Motor performance was studied using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), single leg stand time, finger tapping and grooved pegboard tests (GPT). Results. There were significant correlations between the frontal region visual scale scores and SPPB chair stands (r = -0.379; P = .039) and Grooved Pegboard (r = 0.393; P = .032); frontal NAWM ADC values and SPPB standing balance (r = -0.450; P = .014) and SPPB 4 meter walk (r = -0.379; P = .043). Conclusion. Frontal WML are negatively related to motor performance in patients with leukoaraiosis. DWI results suggest that this may be true even for NAWM.
Insights
White matter lesions (WML) in the frontal lobe are linked to poorer physical function in older adults with leukoaraiosis. Diffusion imaging suggests this association may extend to normal-appearing white matter.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- White matter lesions (WML) are common in aging and associated with cognitive and physical decline.
- Leukoaraiosis, a form of WML, specifically affects white matter in the brain.
- Understanding the relationship between WML location and physical performance is crucial for geriatric care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the location of white matter lesions (WML) and physical performance in elderly patients.
- To explore the role of diffusion metrics in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in relation to motor function.
Main Methods:
- Studied 29 patients (mean age 72.6 years) with leukoaraiosis.
- Quantified WML using a visual scale and measured Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) in lesioned and normal-appearing white matter.
- Assessed motor performance via the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), single leg stand, finger tapping, and Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT).
Main Results:
- Frontal WML visual scores correlated negatively with SPPB chair stands and GPT performance.
- Frontal NAWM ADC values showed significant negative correlations with SPPB standing balance and walking speed.
- Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) results indicated a potential impact of NAWM on motor function.
Conclusions:
- Frontal lobe WML are significantly associated with reduced physical motor performance in patients with leukoaraiosis.
- Diffusion metrics in frontal NAWM may also contribute to physical performance deficits.
- These findings highlight the importance of frontal white matter integrity for maintaining physical function in aging.
