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Updated: Feb 11, 2026

DTI of the Visual Pathway - White Matter Tracts and Cerebral Lesions
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Cerebral White Matter Lesions have Low Impact on Cognitive Function in a Large Elderly Memory Clinic Population

Jules J Claus1, Mirthe Coenen1, Salka S Staekenborg1,2

  • 1Department of Neurology, Tergooi Hospitals, Blaricum, The Netherlands.

Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease : JAD
|May 2, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Cerebral white matter lesions (WML) impact non-memory cognitive function, but only when medial temporal atrophy (MTA) is also present. The overall impact of WML on memory clinic patients appears minimal.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Cerebral white matter lesions (WML) are implicated in cognitive decline.
  • Understanding the interplay between WML and other neurodegenerative markers is crucial for accurate diagnosis and prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of cerebral white matter lesions (WML) on cognitive function.
  • To assess this impact in relation to the presence or absence of medial temporal atrophy (MTA).
  • To analyze data from a large cohort of patients attending a memory clinic.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized visually rated WML (Fazekas scale) and MTA (Scheltens scale) from brain CT scans.
  • Employed regression analysis, adjusted for age, gender, and education, to examine relationships with CAMCOG memory and non-memory function.
  • Assessed interaction and additive effects of WML and MTA.

Main Results:

  • The association between WML and memory function was not significant when MTA was considered.
  • A significant relationship between WML and non-memory function persisted after adjusting for MTA, though explained variance was minimal (1.3%).
  • WML affected non-memory function exclusively in the presence of MTA, indicating a conditional effect.

Conclusions:

  • The impact of WML on non-memory cognitive function is dependent on the presence of pre-existing MTA.
  • WML appears to have a limited contribution to the overall clinical presentation of memory clinic patients.
  • Further research may elucidate the specific mechanisms underlying this conditional relationship.
Keywords:
Alzheimer’s diseaseFazekas scorecomputed tomographymemory clinicmild cognitive impairmentsubjective cognitive impairmentwhite matter lesions

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