Structure-function coupling alterations in cognitively normal individuals with white matter hyperintensities

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Research

Background:

• White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are key indicators of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD).
• The underlying mechanisms driving WMH and their impact on cognition are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the structural decoupling index (SDI) as a novel measure of brain organization.
• To investigate the association between SDI and WMH burden in cognitively normal older adults.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of neuroimaging data from 112 cognitively normal individuals with varying WMH levels.
• Calculation of SDI and performance of gene enrichment analysis to identify molecular pathways.

Main Results:

• Higher WMH burden correlated with increased SDI in regions including the frontal gyrus, orbital gyrus, precentral gyrus, cingulate gyrus, thalamus, and striatum.
• SDI alterations were associated with memory and processing speed deficits in individuals with high WMH.
• Gene enrichment analysis revealed links to neural function, ion transport, and synaptic signaling pathways.

Conclusions:

• Altered SDI may represent a mechanistic pathway in WMH development and progression.
• These SDI changes are connected to molecular pathways and cognitive impairments.
• The study provides a framework for understanding WMH pathophysiology and cognitive decline.