Do white matter hyperintensities mediate the association between brain iron deposition and cognitive abilities in older people?

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Several studies have reported associations between brain iron deposits (IDs), white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and cognitive ability in older individuals. Whether the association between brain IDs and cognitive abilities in older people is mediated by or independent of total brain tissue damage represented by WMHs visible on structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was examined.

Methods

Data from 676 community-dwelling individuals from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936, with Mini-Mental State Examination scores >24, who underwent detailed cognitive testing and multimodal brain MRI at mean age 72.7 years were analysed. Brain IDs were assessed automatically following manual editing. WMHs were assessed semi-automatically. Brain microbleeds were visuall

SUBMITTER: Valdes Hernandez M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4950475 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature