title: Progression of White Matter Disease and Cortical Thinning Are Not Related in Older Community-Dwelling Subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between whole brain white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume and regional cortical thickness.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured WMH volume and regional cortical thickness on magnetic resonance imaging at ≈73 and ≈76 years in 351 community-dwelling subjects from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. We used multiple linear regression to calculate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between regional cortical thickness and WMH volume controlling for age, sex, Mini Mental State Examination, education, intelligence quotient at age 11, and vascular risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found cross-sectional associations between WMH volume and cortical thickness within and surrounding the Sylvian fissure at 73 and 76 years (rho=-0.276, Q=0.004). However, we found no significant longitudinal associations between (1) baseline WMH volume and change in cortical thickness; (2) baseline cortical thickness and change in WMH volume; or (3) change in WMH volume and change in cortical thickness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show that WMH volume and cortical thinning both worsen with age and are associated cross-sectionally within and surrounding the Sylvian fissure. However, changes in WMH volume and cortical thinning from 73 to 76 years are not associated longitudinally in these relatively healthy older subjects. The underlying cause(s) of WMH growth and cortical thinning have yet to be fully determined.
authors.affiliation: From the Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Department of Psychology (S.J.R., S.R.C., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.J.R., S.R.C., J.M.S., M.E.B., I.J.D., J.M.W.), Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Imaging Network, a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.); Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada (S.K., A.C.E.); and Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC, Canada (S.K.).
authors.forename: David Alexander
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Dickie
authors.affiliation: From the Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Department of Psychology (S.J.R., S.R.C., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.J.R., S.R.C., J.M.S., M.E.B., I.J.D., J.M.W.), Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Imaging Network, a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.); Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada (S.K., A.C.E.); and Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC, Canada (S.K.).
authors.forename: Sherif
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karama
authors.affiliation: From the Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Department of Psychology (S.J.R., S.R.C., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.J.R., S.R.C., J.M.S., M.E.B., I.J.D., J.M.W.), Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Imaging Network, a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.); Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada (S.K., A.C.E.); and Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC, Canada (S.K.).
authors.forename: Stuart J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Ritchie
authors.affiliation: From the Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Department of Psychology (S.J.R., S.R.C., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.J.R., S.R.C., J.M.S., M.E.B., I.J.D., J.M.W.), Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Imaging Network, a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.); Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada (S.K., A.C.E.); and Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC, Canada (S.K.).
authors.forename: Simon R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.affiliation: From the Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Department of Psychology (S.J.R., S.R.C., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.J.R., S.R.C., J.M.S., M.E.B., I.J.D., J.M.W.), Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Imaging Network, a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.); Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada (S.K., A.C.E.); and Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC, Canada (S.K.).
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sakka
authors.affiliation: From the Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Department of Psychology (S.J.R., S.R.C., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.J.R., S.R.C., J.M.S., M.E.B., I.J.D., J.M.W.), Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Imaging Network, a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.); Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada (S.K., A.C.E.); and Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC, Canada (S.K.).
authors.forename: Natalie A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Royle
authors.affiliation: From the Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Department of Psychology (S.J.R., S.R.C., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.J.R., S.R.C., J.M.S., M.E.B., I.J.D., J.M.W.), Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Imaging Network, a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.); Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada (S.K., A.C.E.); and Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC, Canada (S.K.).
authors.forename: Benjamin S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Aribisala
authors.affiliation: From the Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Department of Psychology (S.J.R., S.R.C., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.J.R., S.R.C., J.M.S., M.E.B., I.J.D., J.M.W.), Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Imaging Network, a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.); Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada (S.K., A.C.E.); and Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC, Canada (S.K.).
authors.forename: Maria Valdés
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.affiliation: From the Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Department of Psychology (S.J.R., S.R.C., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.J.R., S.R.C., J.M.S., M.E.B., I.J.D., J.M.W.), Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Imaging Network, a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.); Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada (S.K., A.C.E.); and Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC, Canada (S.K.).
authors.forename: Susana Muñoz
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Maniega
authors.affiliation: From the Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Department of Psychology (S.J.R., S.R.C., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.J.R., S.R.C., J.M.S., M.E.B., I.J.D., J.M.W.), Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Imaging Network, a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.); Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada (S.K., A.C.E.); and Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC, Canada (S.K.).
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pattie
authors.affiliation: From the Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Department of Psychology (S.J.R., S.R.C., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.J.R., S.R.C., J.M.S., M.E.B., I.J.D., J.M.W.), Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Imaging Network, a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.); Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada (S.K., A.C.E.); and Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC, Canada (S.K.).
authors.forename: Janie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Corley
authors.affiliation: From the Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Department of Psychology (S.J.R., S.R.C., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.J.R., S.R.C., J.M.S., M.E.B., I.J.D., J.M.W.), Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Imaging Network, a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.); Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada (S.K., A.C.E.); and Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC, Canada (S.K.).
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Starr
authors.affiliation: From the Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Department of Psychology (S.J.R., S.R.C., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.J.R., S.R.C., J.M.S., M.E.B., I.J.D., J.M.W.), Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Imaging Network, a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.); Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada (S.K., A.C.E.); and Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC, Canada (S.K.).
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bastin
authors.affiliation: From the Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Department of Psychology (S.J.R., S.R.C., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.J.R., S.R.C., J.M.S., M.E.B., I.J.D., J.M.W.), Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Imaging Network, a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.); Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada (S.K., A.C.E.); and Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC, Canada (S.K.).
authors.forename: Alan C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: From the Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Department of Psychology (S.J.R., S.R.C., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.J.R., S.R.C., J.M.S., M.E.B., I.J.D., J.M.W.), Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Imaging Network, a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.); Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada (S.K., A.C.E.); and Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC, Canada (S.K.).
authors.forename: Ian J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Deary
authors.affiliation: From the Brain Research Imaging Centre (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.), Department of Psychology (S.J.R., S.R.C., A.P., J.C., I.J.D.), and Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (S.J.R., S.R.C., J.M.S., M.E.B., I.J.D., J.M.W.), Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre (J.M.S.), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Scottish Imaging Network, a Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) Collaboration (D.A.D., E.S., N.A.R., B.S.A., M.V.H., S.M.M., M.E.B., J.M.W.); Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada (S.K., A.C.E.); and Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Verdun, QC, Canada (S.K.). joanna.wardlaw@ed.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Joanna M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wardlaw
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D057187:Independent Living; D056784:Leukoencephalopathies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D012307:Risk Factors; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D066127:White Matter / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: MRI; ageing; brain; cortex; white matter hyperintensities