White matter grade and ventricular volume on brain MRI as markers of longevity in the cardiovascular health study.
High white matter grade (WMG) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a risk factor for dementia, stroke and disability. Higher ventricular size is a marker of brain "atrophy." In the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) (n=3245) mean age 75 years, 50% black and 40% men, we evaluated WM and ventricular grade (VG), total, cardiovascular and noncardiovascular mortality and longevity before and after adjusting for numerous determinants of longevity over an approximate 10-12 years of follow-up. A low WMG and VG was a marker for low total, cardiovascular and noncardiovascular mortality and for increased longevity over 10+ years of follow-up. We estimated that a 75-year-old with WMG below median would have about a 5-6 years greater longevity and for VG about 3 years, than above the median even after adjustment for numerous risk factors. Low WMG and VG on MRI is a powerful determinant of long-term survival among older individuals.
Kuller
Lewis H
LH
Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, 130 N. Bellefield Ave., Rm. 550, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States. kullerl@edc.pitt.edu <kullerl@edc.pitt.edu>
Arnold
Alice M
AM
Longstreth
W T
WT
Manolio
Teri A
TA
O'Leary
Daniel H
DH
Burke
Gregory L
GL
Fried
Linda P
LP
Newman
Anne B
AB
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers; D044383:Black People; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D044465:White People
D015415:Biomarkers