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Cognitive reserve is associated with less cognitive decline from white matter hyperintensities
Arthur P Hamilton1, Kaiah N Sotebeer2, John G Grundy2
1Carleton University, Department of Cognitive Science, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada.
Neurobiology of Aging
|December 28, 2025
Summary
New methods reveal white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) disrupt brain connectivity, impacting cognition. Cognitive reserve may protect against WMH-related cognitive decline in aging adults.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Gerontology
Background:
- Previous studies on white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and cognitive decline primarily assessed overall lesion burden.
- A novel Lesion Quantification Toolkit (LQT) enables measurement of localized connectivity disruption caused by WMHs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply the LQT to assess the impact of localized WMH-induced connectivity disruption on cognitive function in healthy aging.
- To investigate the relationship between WMH-related network disruption, cognitive performance, and cognitive reserve.
Main Methods:
- Utilized three MRI datasets (N=259) from older adults.
- Applied the LQT to quantify localized brain connectivity disruptions due to WMHs.
- Employed partial least-squares path modeling to analyze relationships between connectivity disruption, cognition, age, and cognitive reserve.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a significant association between connectivity disruption and reduced cognitive performance.
- Confirmed a link between cognitive reserve and higher cognitive performance across all datasets.
- Indicated that cognitive reserve may buffer against the negative effects of WMHs on cognition.
Conclusions:
- Localized connectivity disruption, rather than overall lesion burden, is a key factor in WMH-related cognitive impairment.
- Cognitive reserve plays a crucial role in maintaining cognitive function despite the presence of WMHs in aging.
- The LQT offers a more refined approach to understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of cognitive aging.
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