Advances in the Correlation Between White Matter Hyperintensity and Subjective Cognitive Decline

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Gerontology
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• The global population is aging, leading to a significant increase in Alzheimer's disease (AD) incidence.
• Early prevention is crucial for reducing AD rates, as highlighted by the World Health Organization.
• Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) represents an early stage of AD, offering a critical window for intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current research on white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD).
• To identify challenges in current WMH research.
• To elucidate the relationship between WMH and SCD in terms of pathophysiology and cognitive function.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent research on WMH and SCD.
• Analysis of the physiopathological and cognitive correlations between WMH and SCD.

Main Results:

• White matter hyperintensity (WMH) serves as a key indicator of white matter changes.
• WMH provides valuable evidence for identifying subjective cognitive decline (SCD).
• The review highlights existing research gaps in WMH and SCD studies.

Conclusions:

• WMH is a significant biomarker for early detection of cognitive decline.
• Understanding the WMH-SCD link is vital for developing effective AD prevention strategies.
• Further research is recommended to address current limitations and advance the field.