Deep versus periventricular white matter lesions and cognitive function in a community sample of middle-aged participants.
The association of cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs) with cognitive status is not well understood in middle-aged individuals. Our aim was to determine the specific contribution of periventricular hyperintensities (PVHs) and deep white matter hyperintensities (DWMHs) to cognitive function in a community sample of asymptomatic participants aged 50 to 65 years. One hundred stroke- and dementia-free adults completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and brain MRI protocol. Participants were classified according to PVH and DWMH scores (Fazekas scale). We dichotomized our sample into low grade WMLs (participants without or with mild lesions) and high grade WMLs (participants with moderate or severe lesions). Analyses were performed separately in PVH and DWMH groups. High grade DWMHs were associated with significantly lower scores in executive functioning (-0.45 standard deviations [SD]), attention (-0.42 SD), verbal fluency (-0.68 SD), visual memory (-0.52 SD), visuospatial skills (-0.79 SD), and psychomotor speed (-0.46 SD). Further analyses revealed that high grade DWMHs were also associated with a three- to fourfold increased risk of impaired scores (i.e.,<1.5 SD) in executive functioning, verbal fluency, visuospatial skills, and psychomotor speed. Our findings suggest that only DWMHs, not PVHs, are related to diminished cognitive function in middle-aged individuals. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1-12).
Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Juan José
JJ
Soriano-Raya
Júlia
J
Miralbell
Elena
E
López-Cancio
Núria
N
Bargalló
Juan Francisco
JF
Arenillas
Maite
M
Barrios
Cynthia
C
Cáceres
Pere
P
Toran
Maite
M
Alzamora
Antoni
A
Dávalos
Maria
M
Mataró
D000368:Aged; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003863:Depression; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D056784:Leukoencephalopathies / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D059409:Stroke, Lacunar / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology