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Periventricular and deep abnormal white matter differ in associations with cognitive performance at midlife
Mark Sanderson-Cimino1, Matthew S Panizzon2, Jeremy A Elman2
1Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State/University of California.
Neuropsychology
|May 10, 2021
Summary
Abnormal white matter (AWM) impacts cognitive function in late-midlife men. Regional AWM subtypes differentially affect general cognitive ability and specific cognitive domains, highlighting the need for early intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Gerontology
Background:
- Abnormal white matter (AWM) on MRI is linked to cognitive decline in older adults.
- Understanding AWM's impact in late-midlife is crucial for early detection and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between total, periventricular, and deep AWM and cognitive performance in late-midlife men.
- To explore the differential impact of AWM subtypes on general cognitive ability and specific cognitive domains.
- To examine the moderating role of early life cognition (cognitive reserve) on these associations.
Main Methods:
- Community-dwelling men (n=242, mean age 61.9) underwent MRI for AWM assessment.
- Linear-mixed effects regression models analyzed AWM associations with cognitive performance.
- Analyses controlled for multiple comparisons and current general cognitive ability (GCA).
Main Results:
- Greater total and deep AWM correlated with poorer current GCA.
- Periventricular AWM was associated with worse executive function, working memory, and episodic memory.
- Both AWM subtypes showed significant, distinct associations with cognitive performance, independent of cognitive reserve.
Conclusions:
- AWM significantly contributes to cognitive impairment in late-midlife.
- Distinguishing between periventricular and deep AWM reveals specific cognitive associations, unlike total AWM analysis.
- Interventions targeting risk factors for AWM should commence by late-midlife.
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