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What does hand motor function tell us about our aging brain in association with WMH?
Misbah Riaz1, Torgil Riise Vangberg2,3, Olena Vasylenko4
1Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsö, Norway.
Background:
White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are a common cerebral finding in older people. WMH are usually asymptomatic, but excessive WMH are associated with cognitive decline and dementia. WMH are also among the neurological findings most consistently associated with declining motor performance in healthy ageing.
Aims:
To determine if WMH load is associated with simple and complex motor movements in dominant and non-dominant hands in cognitively intact older subjects.
Methods:
Hand motor performance was assessed with the Purdue Pegboard and Finger-tapping tests on 44 healthy right-handed participants, mean age 70.9 years (range 59-84 years). Participants also underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, which were used to quantify WMH volume. The effect of WMH on the motor parameters was assessed via mediation analyses.
Results:
WMH load increased significantly with age, while the motor scores decreased significantly with age. WMH load mediated only the relationship between age and left-hand pegboard scores.
Discussion:
WMH mediated only the more complex Purdue Pegboard task for the non-dominant hand. This is likely because complex movements in the non-dominant hand recruit a larger cerebral network, which is more vulnerable to WMH.
Conclusions:
Complex hand movements in the non-dominant hand are mediated by WMH. Subtle loss of motor movements of non-dominant hand might predict future excessive white matter atrophy.
Insights
White matter hyperintensities (WMH) impact complex motor skills in the non-dominant hand of older adults. This finding suggests WMH may predict future motor decline and brain atrophy.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Gerontology
Background:
- White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are common in older adults.
- Excessive WMH are linked to cognitive decline, dementia, and reduced motor performance.
- WMH are a significant neurological marker in healthy aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between WMH load and motor performance in dominant and non-dominant hands.
- To assess simple and complex motor movements in cognitively intact older individuals.
- To explore the relationship between WMH and hand dexterity in aging.
Main Methods:
- 44 healthy, right-handed participants (mean age 70.9 years) underwent motor assessments (Purdue Pegboard, Finger-tapping).
- Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging quantified white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume.
- Mediation analyses examined the effect of WMH on motor parameters.
Main Results:
- WMH load increased with age, while motor scores declined.
- WMH load significantly mediated the relationship between age and non-dominant hand pegboard scores.
- The effect was specific to complex motor tasks in the non-dominant hand.
Conclusions:
- White matter hyperintensities mediate complex motor tasks in the non-dominant hand.
- This effect is attributed to larger cerebral network recruitment for complex non-dominant hand movements, making them more vulnerable to WMH.
- Subtle declines in non-dominant hand motor function may indicate future white matter atrophy.
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