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Relationship between white matter hyperintensities, cortical thickness, and cognition
Anil M Tuladhar1, Andrew T Reid1, Elena Shumskaya1
1From the Department of Neurology, Center for Neuroscience (A.M.T., A.G.W.v.N., E.J.v.D., F.-E.d.L.), Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging (E.S., D.G.N.), Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Center Julich, Julich, Germany (A.T.R.); Department of Neurology, HagaZiekenhuis Den Haag, Den Haag, The Netherlands (K.F.d.L.); Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany (D.G.N.); and MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands (D.G.N.).
White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are linked to brain structure changes and cognitive decline in small vessel disease. Cortical thickness and network disruptions, not just WMH, explain cognitive impairment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are associated with cognitive symptoms beyond lesion load.
- The role of distant cortical changes and network alterations in WMH-related cognitive impairment is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the relationships between WMH, cortical thickness, and cognitive function in cerebral small vessel disease.
- Examine how WMH impact cortical morphology and brain networks.
Main Methods:
- MRI analysis of 426 subjects (50-85 years) with cerebral small vessel disease.
- Manual segmentation of WMH and cortical thickness analysis.
- Graph theory applied to structural covariance networks derived from cortical thickness correlations.
Main Results:
- Higher WMH load correlated with reduced frontotemporal cortical thickness and increased paracentral thickness.
- Network disruption measures associated with WMH and cognitive performance.
- Cognitive performance linked to cortical thickness and network measures, independent of WMH load.
Conclusions:
- Cortical changes and network breakdown, influenced by WMH and other factors, may drive cognitive decline.
- Findings highlight the interplay between WMH, cortical morphology, and cognitive impairment in small vessel disease.
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