Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability Is Associated With Cognitive Functioning in Normal Aging and Neurodegenerative...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Cognitive decline is a significant concern in aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
• The blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a crucial role in maintaining brain health.
• Understanding factors influencing BBB integrity is vital for cognitive health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and cognitive functioning.
• To explore this relationship in healthy older adults and individuals with neurodegenerative diseases.
• To elucidate the role of vascular risk burden and white matter injury in this association.

Main Methods:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI for BBB permeability and diffusion-tensor imaging for white matter injury.
• Neuropsychological testing to assess cognitive functioning.
• Structural equation modeling to analyze complex relationships between variables.

Main Results:

• Vascular risk burden was associated with increased BBB permeability and white matter injury.
• Elevated BBB permeability predicted greater white matter injury.
• White matter injury was a significant predictor of lower cognitive functioning.

Conclusions:

• Findings support a vascular contribution to cognitive impairment, mediated by BBB permeability and white matter injury.
• Targeting modifiable vascular risk factors is crucial for mitigating cognitive decline.
• This research underscores the importance of vascular health for brain function in aging and disease.