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Updated: Apr 6, 2026
Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Total MRI load of cerebral small vessel disease and cognitive ability in older people
Julie Staals1, Tom Booth2, Zoe Morris3
1Department of Neurology and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Brain Research Imaging Centre, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Abstract:
Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) may cause cognitive dysfunction. We tested the association between the combined presence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of SVD and cognitive ability in older age. Cognitive testing and brain MRI were performed in 680 older participants. MRI presence of lacunes, white matter hyperintensities, microbleeds, and perivascular spaces were summed in a score of 0-4 representing all SVD features combined. We also applied latent variable modeling to test whether the 4 MRI features form a unitary SVD construct. The SVD score showed significant associations with general cognitive ability. Latent variable modeling indicated that the 4 MRI markers formed a unitary construct, which showed consistent associations with cognitive ability compared with the SVD score. Total MRI load of SVD is associated with lower general cognitive ability in older age. The total SVD score performed consistently with the more complex latent variable model, suggesting validity and potential utility in future research for determining total SVD load.
Insights
Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) detected via MRI is linked to reduced cognitive ability in older adults. A higher SVD score, reflecting more disease markers, consistently predicts lower cognitive function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is a common finding in older adults.
- SVD is increasingly recognized as a contributor to cognitive decline and dementia.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for detecting SVD features in vivo.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between combined MRI-detected SVD features and cognitive ability in older individuals.
- To determine if common SVD MRI markers form a unitary construct.
- To assess the utility of a summed SVD score versus a latent variable model.
Main Methods:
- Cognitive testing and brain MRI were conducted in 680 older participants.
- MRI features (lacunes, white matter hyperintensities, microbleeds, perivascular spaces) were quantified.
- A summed SVD score (0-4) and latent variable modeling were used to assess SVD burden.
Main Results:
- The SVD score demonstrated significant associations with general cognitive ability.
- Latent variable modeling confirmed the four MRI markers form a unitary SVD construct.
- This SVD construct showed consistent associations with cognitive ability, similar to the SVD score.
Conclusions:
- The total MRI-detected burden of SVD is associated with lower general cognitive ability in older age.
- The SVD score is a valid and potentially useful tool for quantifying SVD load in research.
- Findings support the role of SVD in age-related cognitive dysfunction.
