title: A population-based study on motor performance and white matter lesions in older women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between motor performance and white matter lesions (WMLs) on computed tomography (CT) of the brain in older women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based study in Göteborg, Sweden.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 248 women aged 70, 74, and 78 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Motor performance was measured by a Postural-Locomotion-Manual (PLM) test using an optoelectronic technique. WMLs on CT scans were rated as no, mild, moderate, or severe.
  
  
  RESULTS
  White matter lesions were associated with impaired mobility of the lower extremities, that is, prolonged locomotion phase in the PLM test. This association was also present after controlling for age, hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus, chronic bronchitis, intermittent claudication, and smoking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cerebral white matter lesions may contribute to motor impairments in older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Göteborg University, Sweden.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Skoog
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matousek
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Larsson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palsson
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sundh
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Steen
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013548:Sweden; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014930:Women