Prefrontal-Parietal White Matter Volumes in Healthy Elderlies Are Decreased in Proportion to the Degree of Cardiovascular Risk and Related to Inhibitory Control Deficits.
Cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors may be associated with poor cognitive functioning in elderlies and impairments in brain structure. Using MRI and voxel-based morphometry (VBM), we assessed regional white matter (WM) volumes in a population-based sample of individuals aged 65-75 years (n= 156), subdivided in three CVR subgroups using the Framingham Risk Score. Cognition was assessed using the Short Cognitive Performance Test. In high-risk subjects, we detected significantly reduced WM volume in the right juxtacortical dorsolateral prefrontal region compared to both low and intermediate CVR subgroups. Findings remained significant after accounting for the presence of the APOEε4 allele. Inhibitory control performance was negatively related to right prefrontal WM volume, proportionally to the degree of CVR. Significantly reduced deep parietal WM was also detected bilaterally in the high CVR subgroup. This is the first large study documenting the topography of CVR-related WM brain volume deficits. The significant association regarding poor response inhibition indicates that prefrontal WM deficits related to CVR are clinically meaningful, since inhibitory control is known to rely on prefrontal integrity.
Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroimaging, Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Universidade de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil.
Pedro P
PP
Santos
Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroimaging, Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Universidade de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil.
Paula S Da
PS
Silveira
Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroimaging, Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Universidade de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil.
Fabio L
FL
Souza-Duran
Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroimaging, Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Universidade de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil.
Jaqueline H
JH
Tamashiro-Duran
Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil.
Márcia
M
Scazufca
Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil; Center of Research in Mental Health Population, University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil.
Paulo R
PR
Menezes
Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Neuroradiology, Institute and Department of Radiology, University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil.
Claudia Da Costa
CD
Leite
Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Clinical and Epidemiologic Research, University of São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil.
Paulo A
PA
Lotufo
Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil; Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil.
Homero
H
Vallada
Department of Cardiopneumology, Heart Institute, General Hospital of University of São Paulo Medical School São Paulo, Brazil.
Maurício
M
Wajngarten
Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroimaging, Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Universidade de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil.
Tânia C
TC
De Toledo Ferraz Alves
Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroimaging, Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Universidade de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology, Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo Medical School (IPq-HC-FMUSP)São Paulo, Brazil.
Patricia
P
Rzezak
Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroimaging, Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Universidade de São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São PauloSão Paulo, Brazil.
Geraldo F
GF
Busatto
APOEε4 allele; MRI imaging; cognition; framingham risk factor; voxel-based morphometry (VBM)