Correlations between MRI white matter lesion location and executive function and episodic memory.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

MRI white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume is associated with cognitive impairment. We hypothesized that specific loci of WMH would correlate with cognition even after accounting for total WMH volume.

Methods

Subjects were identified from a prospective community-based study: 40 had normal cognition, 94 had mild impairment (defined here as a Clinical Dementia Rating [CDR] score of 0.5 without dementia), and 11 had mild Alzheimer's dementia. Factor analysis of a 22-item neuropsychological battery yielded 4 factors (episodic memory, executive function, spatial skills, and general knowledge). MRI WMH segmentation and analysis was performed using FreeSurfer software.

Results

Higher WMH volume was independently associated with lower executive function and episo

SUBMITTER: Smith EE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3087468 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature