Education modulates the impact of white matter lesions on the risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Conflicting results have been reported regarding the association between white matter lesions (WML) and cognitive impairment. We hypothesized that education, a marker of cognitive reserve (CR), could modulate the effects of WML on the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia.

Methods

We followed 500 healthy subjects from a cohort of community-dwelling persons aged 65 years and over (ESPRIT Project). At baseline, WML volume was measured using a semi-automatic method on T2-weighted MRI. Standardized cognitive and neurological evaluations were repeated after 2, 4, and 7 years. The sample was dichotomized according to education level into low (≤8 years) and high (>8 years) education groups. Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to study the associ

SUBMITTER: Mortamais M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4143478 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature