Altered tract-specific white matter microstructure is related to poorer cognitive performance: The Rotterdam Study

Abstract White matter microstructural integrity has been related to cognition. Yet, the potential role of specific white matter tracts on top of a global white matter effect remains unclear, especially when considering specific cognitive domains. Therefore, we determined the tract-specific effect of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neurobiology of aging 2016-03, Vol.39, p.108-117
Main Authors: Cremers, Lotte G.M, de Groot, Marius, Hofman, Albert, Krestin, Gabriel P, van der Lugt, Aad, Niessen, Wiro J, Vernooij, Meike W, Ikram, M. Arfan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Cognition
Cognition Disorders - pathology
Cohort Studies
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Diffusion MRI
Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Epidemiology
Female
Humans
Internal Medicine
Male
Middle Aged
Neurodegeneration
Neurodegenerative Diseases - pathology
Neurology
Population based
Tractography
White matter
White Matter - pathology
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Summary:Abstract White matter microstructural integrity has been related to cognition. Yet, the potential role of specific white matter tracts on top of a global white matter effect remains unclear, especially when considering specific cognitive domains. Therefore, we determined the tract-specific effect of white matter microstructure on global cognition and specific cognitive domains. In 4400 nondemented and stroke-free participants (mean age 63.7 years, 55.5% women), we obtained diffusion magnetic resonance imaging parameters (fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity) in 14 white matter tracts using probabilistic tractography and assessed cognitive performance with a cognitive test battery. Tract-specific white matter microstructure in all supratentorial tracts was associated with poorer global cognition. Lower fractional anisotropy in association tracts, primarily the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, and higher mean diffusivity in projection tracts, in particular the posterior thalamic radiation, most strongly related to poorer cognition. Altered white matter microstructure related to poorer information processing speed, executive functioning, and motor speed, but not to memory. Tract-specific microstructural changes may aid in better understanding the mechanism of cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases.
ISSN:0197-4580
1558-1497
DOI:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2015.11.021