Small vessel disease and cognitive impairment: The relevance of central network connections.

ABSTRACT: Central brain network connections greatly contribute to overall network efficiency. Here we examined whether small vessel disease (SVD) related white matter alterations in central brain network connections have a greater impact on executive functioning than alterations in non-central brain network connections. Brain networks were reconstructed from diffusion-weighted MRI scans in 72 individuals (75 ± 8 years) with cognitive impairment and SVD on MRI. The centrality of white matter connections in the network was defined using graph theory. The association between the fractional anisotropy (FA) of central versus non-central connections, executive functioning, and markers of SVD was evaluated with linear regression and mediation analysis. Lower FA in central network connections was more stron

SUBMITTER: Reijmer YD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4905790 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature