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White Matter Hyperintensities in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Lower Risk of Cognitive Decline

Geneviève Nolze-Charron1, Abderazzak Mouiha2, Simon Duchesne2,3

  • 1Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.

Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease : JAD
|September 25, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) did not predict Alzheimer's disease conversion in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, greater global WMH burden may slow cognitive decline in MCI patients with low executive function.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are common in aging and may impact cognitive decline.
  • The localization of WMH might influence their effect on cognition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of global and cholinergic WMH on cognitive decline in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients.
  • Utilize data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI-1) cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of a natural history study cohort.
  • Assessment of WMH using the Cholinergic Pathways HyperIntensities Scale (CHIPS) and Age-Related White Matter Changes Scale (ARWMC) on MRI scans.
  • Standardized neuropsychological testing to evaluate cognitive function and conversion to Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Main Results:

  • No significant association was found between baseline WMH burden (global or cholinergic) and MCI to AD conversion.
  • Higher ARWMC scores showed a significant confounding effect on dementia conversion in MCI subjects with low executive functions (HR=0.37, p=0.03).

Conclusions:

  • Baseline WMH burden in MCI does not predict conversion to AD over three years.
  • Elevated global WMH burden may be associated with a reduced risk of dementia conversion in MCI patients with impaired executive functions.
  • These findings suggest WMH may be linked to a slower cognitive decline or stabilization in specific MCI subgroups.
Keywords:
ADNIAlzheimer’s diseasecholinergic pathwaysexecutive functionsmild cognitive impairmentwhite matter hyperintensities

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