White matter lesions and brain gray matter volume in cognitively normal elders

• Published in: Neurobiology of aging Vol. 33; no. 4; pp. 834.e7 - 834.e16
• Main Authors: Raji, Cyrus A, Lopez, Oscar L, Kuller, Lewis H, Carmichael, Owen T, Longstreth, William T, Gach, H. Michael, Boardman, John, Bernick, Charles B, Thompson, Paul M, Becker, James T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-04-2012
• Subjects: Age; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging - genetics; Aging - pathology; Apolipoprotein E4 - genetics; Brain - pathology; Cognition; Cognition Disorders - etiology; Cognition Disorders - pathology; Female; Gray matter volume; Humans; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Internal Medicine; Leukoaraiosis - complications; Leukoaraiosis - genetics; Leukoaraiosis - pathology; Longitudinal Studies; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Memory Disorders - etiology; Memory Disorders - pathology; Mental Status Schedule; Neurology; Neuropsychological Tests; Regression Analysis; Retrospective Studies; White matter lesions; White matter lesions; Cognition; Gray matter volume; Age
• ISSN: 0197-4580; 1558-1497; 1558-1497
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2011.08.010

Abstract Cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs) reflect small vessel disease, are common in elderly individuals, and are associated with cognitive impairment. We sought to determine the relationships between WMLs, age, gray matter (GM) volume, and cognition in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS). From the Cardiovascular Health Study we selected 740 cognitively normal controls with a 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain and a detailed diagnostic evaluation. WML severity was determined using a standardized visual rating system. GM volumes were analyzed using voxel-based morphometry implemented in the Statistical Parametric Mapping software. WMLs were inversely correlated with GM volume, with the greatest volume loss in the frontal cortex. Age-related atrophy was observed in the hippocampus and posterior cingulate cortex. Regression analyses revealed links among age, APOE*4 allele, hypertension, WMLs, GM volume, and digit symbol substitution test scores. Both advancing age and hypertension predict higher WML load, which is itself associated with GM atrophy. Longitudinal data are needed to confirm the temporal sequence of events leading to a decline in cognitive function.