Thalamic diffusion differences related to cognitive function in white matter lesions

Abstract Cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs) are related to cognitive deficits, probably due to a disruption of frontal–subcortical circuits. We explored thalamic diffusion differences related to white matter lesions (WMLs) and their association with cognitive function in middle-aged individuals. N...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neurobiology of aging 2014-05, Vol.35 (5), p.1103-1110
Main Authors: Fernández-Andújar, Marina, Soriano-Raya, Juan José, Miralbell, Júlia, López-Cancio, Elena, Cáceres, Cynthia, Bargalló, Núria, Barrios, Maite, Arenillas, Juan Francisco, Toran, Pere, Alzamora, Maite, Clemente, Imma, Dávalos, Antoni, Mataró, Maria
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anisotropy
Cognition - physiology
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Female
Frontal Lobe - pathology
Frontal Lobe - physiopathology
Humans
Internal Medicine
Male
Middle Aged
Neurology
Neuropsychological Tests
Neuropsychology
Psychomotor speed
Thalamus - pathology
Thalamus - physiopathology
Thalamus diffusivity
Verbal fluency
Visuospatial skills
White matter lesions
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Summary:Abstract Cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs) are related to cognitive deficits, probably due to a disruption of frontal–subcortical circuits. We explored thalamic diffusion differences related to white matter lesions (WMLs) and their association with cognitive function in middle-aged individuals. Ninety-six participants from the Barcelona-AsIA Neuropsychology Study were included. Participants were classified into groups based on low grade and high grade of periventricular hyperintensities (PVHs) and deep white matter hyperintensities (DWMHs). Tract-Based Spatial Statistics was used to study thalamic diffusion differences between groups. Mean fractional anisotropy (FA) values in significant areas were calculated for each subject and correlated with cognitive performance. Participants with high-grade PVHs and DWMHs showed lower FA thalamic values compared to those with low-grade PVHs and DWMHs, respectively. Decreased FA thalamic values in high-grade DWMHs, but not high-grade PVH, were related to lower levels of performance in psychomotor speed, verbal fluency, and visuospatial skills. Thalamic diffusion differences are related to lower cognitive function only in participants with high-grade DWMHs. These results support the hypothesis that fronto–subcortical disruption is associated with cognitive function only in DWMHs.
ISSN:0197-4580
1558-1497
DOI:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2013.10.087