Public Health.

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Cerebrovascular Health
• Cognitive Aging

Background:

• White matter hyperintensities (WMH) indicate cerebrovascular changes and are linked to the hippocampus.
• Hippocampal atrophy (HA) is associated with cognitive impairment.
• The specific relationship between WMH and HA in rural Indian populations is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the region-specific association between white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and hippocampal atrophy (HA).
• To explore the impact of WMH and HA on cognitive function in an aging Indian cohort.

Main Methods:

• MRI data from 1253 participants (aged 45+) from the CBR-SANSCOG study were analyzed.
• Hippocampal atrophy (HA) and regional WMH volumes (periventricular, subcortical, infratentorial, juxtacortical) were quantified.
• Generalized linear models assessed associations between WMH, HA, and cognitive scores, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

• Higher HA correlated with poorer attention and composite cognitive scores.
• Increased volumes of periventricular, subcortical, infratentorial, and juxtacortical WMH were all associated with higher HA.
• Infratentorial WMH showed a comparatively higher contribution to HA.

Conclusions:

• Region-specific WMH volumes have varying impacts on hippocampal atrophy (HA).
• Infratentorial WMH volume has a significant association with HA.
• Early assessment of WMH and cerebrovascular risk modification are crucial for preserving cognitive function in aging populations.