title: Association of 3.0-T brain magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers with cognitive function in the Dallas Heart Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Understanding the relationships between age-related changes in brain structure and cognitive function has been limited by inconsistent methods for assessing brain imaging, small sample sizes, and racially/ethnically homogeneous cohorts with biased selection based on risk factors. These limitations have prevented the generalizability of results from brain morphology studies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the association of 3.0-T structural brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging measurements with cognitive function in the multiracial/multiethnic, population-based Dallas Heart Study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Whole-brain, 2-dimensional, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and 3-dimensional, magnetization-prepared, rapid acquisition with gradient echo MR imaging at 3.0 T was performed in 1645 Dallas Heart Study participants (mean [SD] age, 49.9 [10.5] years; age range, 19-85 years) who received both brain MR imaging and cognitive screening with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment between September 18, 2007, and December 28, 2009. Measurements were obtained for white matter hyperintensity volume, total brain volume, gray matter volume, white matter volume, cerebrospinal fluid volume, and hippocampal volume. Linear regression and a best predictive model were developed to determine the association of MR imaging biomarkers with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment total score and domain-specific questions.
  
  
  METHODS
  High-resolution anatomical MR imaging was used to quantify brain volumes. Scores on the screening Montreal Cognitive Assessment were used for cognitive assessment in participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment for demographic variables, total brain volume (P < .0001, standardized estimate [SE] = .1069), gray matter volume (P < .0001, SE = .1156), white matter volume (P = .008, SE = .0687), cerebrospinal fluid volume (P = .012, SE = -.0667), and hippocampal volume (P < .0001) were significantly associated with cognitive performance. A best predictive model identified gray matter volume (P < .001, SE = .0021), cerebrospinal fluid volume (P = .01, SE = .0024), and hippocampal volume (P = .004, SE = .1017) as 3 brain MR imaging biomarkers significantly associated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment total score. Questions specific to the visuospatial domain were associated with the most brain MR imaging biomarkers (total brain volume, gray matter volume, white matter volume, cerebrospinal fluid volume, and hippocampal volume), while questions specific to the orientation domain were associated with the least brain MR imaging biomarkers (only hippocampal volume).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Brain MR imaging volumes, including total brain volume, gray matter volume, cerebrospinal fluid volume, and hippocampal volume, were independently associated with cognitive function and may be important early biomarkers of risk for cognitive insult in a young multiracial/multiethnic population. A best predictive model indicated that a combination of multiple neuroimaging biomarkers may be more effective than a single brain MR imaging volume measurement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.
authors.forename: Mohit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.
authors.forename: Kevin S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.
authors.forename: Rajiv
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Srinivasa
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.
authors.forename: Myron F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hulsey
authors.affiliation: Donald W. Reynolds Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.
authors.forename: Colby R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Ayers
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Whittemore
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.
authors.forename: Roderick W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: McColl
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.
authors.forename: Heidi C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Rossetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas3Donald W. Reynolds Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas4Department of Internal Medicine, The University of.
authors.forename: Ronald M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Peshock
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D066128:Gray Matter / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers