Total MRI load of cerebral small vessel disease and cognitive ability in older people

• DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2015.06.024
• Publication Date: 2015-06-28T01:06:42Z
• Authors: Julie Staals; Tom Booth; Zoe Morris; Mark E. Bastin; Alan J. Gow; Janie Corley; Paul Redmond; John M. Starr; Ian J. Deary; Joanna M. Wardlaw
• Keywords: Cognitive Decline

Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) may cause cognitive dysfunction. We tested the association between combined presence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features SVD and ability in older age. Cognitive testing brain MRI were performed 680 participants. lacunes, white matter hyperintensities, microbleeds, perivascular spaces summed a score 0–4 representing all combined. also applied latent variable modeling to test whether 4 form unitary construct. The showed significant associations with general ability. Latent indicated that markers formed construct, which consistent compared score. Total load is associated lower total consistently more complex model, suggesting validity potential utility future research for determining load.