White Matter Lesion Subtypes and Cognitive Deficits in Patients with Memory Impairment

Aim: To analyze the relationship between periventricular (PV) and subcortical (SC) white matter lesions (WML) and cognitive function in patients with memory impairment. Methods: In total, 253 patients with Global Deterioration Scale scores ≧3 who had been referred to a university-based memory unit d...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders 2008-01, Vol.26 (5), p.424-431
Main Authors: Stenset, Vidar, Hofoss, Dag, Berstad, Audun Elnaes, Negaard, Anne, Gjerstad, Leif, Fladby, Tormod
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging - psychology
Apolipoproteins E - genetics
Biological and medical sciences
Brain - pathology
Cognition Disorders - genetics
Cognition Disorders - pathology
Cognition Disorders - psychology
Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases
Disorders of higher nervous function. Focal brain diseases. Central vestibular syndrome and deafness. Brain stem syndromes
Education
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Medical sciences
Memory Disorders - genetics
Memory Disorders - pathology
Memory Disorders - psychology
Middle Aged
Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes)
Neurology
Neuropsychological Tests
Original Research Article
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Aim: To analyze the relationship between periventricular (PV) and subcortical (SC) white matter lesions (WML) and cognitive function in patients with memory impairment. Methods: In total, 253 patients with Global Deterioration Scale scores ≧3 who had been referred to a university-based memory unit due to memory complaints were included (mean age 69.7 years, 124 females). Cognitive function was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination (Cognistat), and full test results were available for 217 patients. PV and SC WML loads (semi-quantitative rating on axial T 2 -weighted MRI scans) were used in linear regression as predictors of cognition. Results: MMSE was significantly correlated with SC WML (p = 0.005), but not with PV WML (p = 0.19). Cognistat tests for orientation, comprehension, visuoconstruction, calculation, similarities, and judgment were negatively correlated with SC WML (p < 0.01), as was verbal memory with parieto-occipital SC WML (p < 0.05). Visuoconstruction and calculation were negatively correlated with PV WML (p < 0.05). Parieto-occipital WML were more strongly related to cognition than fronto-temporal WML. Only SC WML were significantly correlated with cognition when PV and SC WML were entered simultaneously in the regression model. Conclusion: In patients with cognitive impairment, SC WML, in particular in parieto-occipital regions, were associated with reduced cognitive function.
ISSN:1420-8008
1421-9824
DOI:10.1159/000165355