Diffusion Tensor Imaging Correlates of Financial Capacity Instrument-Short Form Completion Time in Mild Cognitive...

The capacity to complete financial tasks accurately and efficiently is fundamental to financial independence; however, early declines in the progression of Alzheimer's disease may contribute to personal financial loss, risk for elder abuse, and increased caregiver burden. Slower performance on measures of financial capacity may reflect early disease-related changes, foreshadowing subsequent cognitive decline. The authors investigated the relationship between the time needed to complete financial tasks and white matter tract diffusion characteristics among older individuals with or without mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Fifteen participants with MCI and 15 healthy control participants completed diffusion MRI scans, a neuropsychological assessment, and the Financial Capacity Instrument-Short Form (FCI-SF). In analyses of data adjusted for demographic characteristics, Geriatric Depression Scale scores, and FCI-SF total score, the authors used diffusion tensor imaging to investigate correlations between the time needed to complete financial tasks and diffusion characteristics of white matter tracts terminating in the angular and fusiform gyri.

FCI-SF completion times were significantly prolonged among participants with MCI compared with healthy control participants. The two groups did not significantly differ in diffusion metrics across the selected white matter tracts. FCI-SF total completion time was significantly correlated with multiple diffusion metrics in the arcuate, vertical occipital, and inferior longitudinal fasciculi of individuals with MCI.

Completion time measures of the FCI-SF may reflect early disease-related changes in white matter tracts implicated in reading and arithmetic performance.