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White matter hyperintensity load is associated with premature brain aging

Natalie Busby1, Sarah Newman-Norlund1, Sara Sayers1

  • 1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29201, USA.

Aging
|December 1, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are independently associated with premature brain aging. This indicates that white matter disease impacts brain integrity and accelerates age-related brain atrophy.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Gerontology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Brain age, an MRI-derived metric, reflects age-related brain tissue loss.
  • White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are markers of small vessel disease and brain compromise.
  • This study investigates the independent association between WMHs and premature brain aging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are independently associated with premature brain aging.
  • To quantify the relationship between WMH load and brain age gap (BrainGAP).

Main Methods:

  • Brain age was calculated using machine learning on T1-weighted MRI scans.
  • WMHs were manually delineated on FLAIR images to determine WMH load.
  • Partial correlations assessed the relationship between BrainGAP and WMH load, controlling for chronological age.

Main Results:

  • Brain age and chronological age were strongly correlated (r=0.932).
  • Premature brain aging (higher BrainGAP) was negatively correlated with chronological age (r=-0.244).
  • WMH load was positively correlated with chronological age (r=0.506) and independently associated with premature brain aging (r=0.216, p=0.003) after controlling for age.

Conclusions:

  • White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are an independent factor contributing to premature brain aging.
  • This highlights the impact of white matter disease on global brain integrity.
  • WMHs are associated with accelerated, age-like brain atrophy.
Keywords:
agingbrain agebrain healthhealthwhite matter hyperintensity

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