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Lower myelin content is associated with more rapid cognitive decline among cognitively unimpaired individuals

Zhaoyuan Gong1, Murat Bilgel2, Matthew Kiely1

  • 1Magnetic Resonance Physics of Aging and Dementia (MRPAD) Unit, National Institute on Aging (NIA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Alzheimer'S & Dementia : the Journal of the Alzheimer'S Association
|January 31, 2023
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Myelin content, measured by myelin water fraction (MWF) and longitudinal relaxation rate (R1), is linked to cognitive decline in healthy adults. Lower myelin is associated with faster declines in executive function and verbal fluency.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Neurobiology

Background:

  • Longitudinal changes in cognitive performance are influenced by aging.
  • The specific role of myelination in cognitive decline is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between myelin content and longitudinal cognitive changes.
  • To identify potential imaging biomarkers for predicting cognitive decline.

Main Methods:

  • 123 cognitively normal participants.
  • Longitudinal cognitive scores were assessed.
  • Myelin content was measured using MRI-based myelin water fraction (MWF) and longitudinal relaxation rate (R1).

Main Results:

  • Lower MWF correlated with steeper declines in executive function.
  • Lower R1 correlated with steeper declines in verbal fluency and, to a lesser extent, executive function and memory.
  • These associations were observed across multiple brain regions.

Conclusions:

  • Myelin content is significantly associated with the rate of cognitive change in healthy individuals.
  • MWF and R1 show potential as imaging biomarkers for predicting cognitive decline.
  • Myelination plays a crucial role in maintaining cognitive function over time.
Keywords:
MRIcognitionlongitudinal analysismyelin

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