Title:White Matter Integrity in Subcortical Vascular Cognitive Impairment: A Multimodal Structural MRI Study
Volume: 14
Issue: 9
Author(s): Yao Wang, Wenwei Cao, Yawen Sun, Xue Chen, Weina Ding, Qun Xu*, Yan Zhou*, Jianrong Xu and Shiteng Suo
Affiliation:
- Department of Neurology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127,China
- Department of Radiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 20012,China
Keywords:
Subcortical vascular cognitive impairment, white matter, diffusion tensor imaging, structure network, white matter
hyperintensities, lacunar infarcts.
Abstract: Objective: To investigate the disruption of white matter (WM) integrity in patients with subcortical
vascular cognitive impairment (SVCI) with multimodal structural magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI), and to explore the relationships between WM damage, structural network disruptions, and general
cognitive function decline.
Methods: Twenty-eight patients with SVCI and twenty control subjects underwent structural MRI scans
and neuropsychological assessment. WM volume (WMV), WM hyperintensities (WMH), lacunar infarcts
(LI), diffusion tensor imaging parameters and structural network characteristics were compared between
two groups. Correlations between these parameters and general cognitive function were calculated.
Results: WMV, WMH load, LI number, mean fractional anisotropy (FA), peak height and peak location
of mean diffusivity (MD) of normal-appearing WM (NAWM) and structural network characteristics were
significantly different between the two groups. Disruption of WM microstructure and network characteristics
was widespread. WMV, WMH load, mean FA and peak location of MD of NAWM explained
about 70% of the variance in structural network characteristics. Shortest path length with LI number explained
47.5% of the variance in z-scores.
Conclusion: SVCI was associated with widespread disruptions of WM integrity in the brain. Network
characteristics may be a comprehensive reflection of WM integrity and a superior predictor of general
cognitive function, while LI was an independent predictor of cognitive impairment.