A prospective study of cerebral white matter abnormalities in older people with gait dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
The authors previously reported cross-sectional data suggesting a relationship between cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and gait and balance dysfunction in older people. There have been no longitudinal MRI studies to address this issue. The current study compared progression of WMH in subjects with gait and balance dysfunction with that in healthy subjects.


METHODS
Two brain MRI were performed on 70 healthy, ambulatory subjects (mean baseline age 79, range 74 to 88) with no identifiable neurologic disease. The mean time between MRI was 4 years. Gait and balance were quantified using the Tinetti Balance and Mobility Scale, and falls were documented each year. On T2-weighted MRI, total hyperintense volume (HV) within three periventricular levels was estimated using the Cavalieri principle, and WMH were graded (0 to 4) using an established semiquantitative scale.


RESULTS
Compared with those with normal gait and balance, subjects whose Tinetti scores dropped markedly (> 4 points) between first and second MRI showed a significantly greater mean increase in HV during follow-up. The larger group of subjects with an abnormal Tinetti score (< 24) at the time of second MRI showed a significantly greater mean increase in HV, compared with those with normal gait and balance at follow-up. Subjects with marked WMH at baseline showed significantly greater increase in HV over time. Subjects with abnormal Tinetti scores had significantly more falls than subjects with normal Tinetti scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Some older people develop gait and balance dysfunction that is associated with gradual onset of cerebral white matter disease.
Whitman
G T
GT
Department of Neurology, University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine, USA.
Tang
Y
Y
Lin
A
A
Baloh
R W
RW
Tang
T
T
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020235:Gait Apraxia / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000473:pathology; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies