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
Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Neurobiol Aging. 2016 Mar;39:108-17. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2015.11.021. Epub 2015 Dec 2.
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.
白质微观结构完整性与认知功能相关。然而，除了整体白质效应之外，特定白质束的潜在作用仍不明确，尤其是在考虑特定认知领域时。因此，我们确定了白质微观结构对整体认知和特定认知领域的束特异性影响。在4400名无痴呆且无中风的参与者（平均年龄63.7岁，55.5%为女性）中，我们使用概率纤维束成像技术获取了14条白质束的扩散磁共振成像参数（分数各向异性和平均扩散率），并通过认知测试组合评估认知表现。所有幕上束的束特异性白质微观结构均与较差的整体认知相关。联合束中较低的分数各向异性，主要是额枕下束，以及投射束中较高的平均扩散率，特别是丘脑后辐射，与较差的认知最为相关。白质微观结构改变与较差的信息处理速度、执行功能和运动速度相关，但与记忆无关。束特异性微观结构变化可能有助于更好地理解认知障碍和神经退行性疾病的机制。
