Ylikoski R, Ylikoski A, Erkinjuntti T, Sulkava R, Raininko R, Tilvis R
Department of Neurology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Arch Neurol. 1993 Aug;50(8):818-24. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1993.00540080029009.
To evaluate the association between white matter changes (leukoaraiosis [LA]) seen on magnetic resonance imaging and cognitive functions.
Survey of cohorts of neurologically healthy elderly subjects derived consecutively from a population-based random sample.
General community, the Helsinki (Finland) Aging Brain Study.
Cohorts of neurologically healthy subjects aged 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, and 85 years (n = 20, 18, 19, 18, 17, 17 and 11 subjects, respectively; total N = 120).
Leukoaraiosis was rated in the periventricular areas (0 to 24) and the centrum semiovale (0 to 24); also, a total LA score was obtained (0 to 48). The neuropsychological test battery covered memory, verbal intellectual and constructional functions, language, speed and attention, and speed of mental processing, as well as simple psychomotor speed.
Low age-related LA scores and deterioration of cognitive functions were obtained in the normal subjects. When controlling for age, we found that speed and attention, together with the speed of mental processing measured by the Trail Making A and the Stroop tests, correlated with the total LA score. However, there was wide variation between subjects. Comparing groups with and without LA proved the association of LA with Trail Making A time, Stroop test result (words/time and difference/time), and the compound score of speed and attention. Presence of periventricular LA was especially related to speed of mental processing.
Leukoaraiosis could explain some of the intellectual impairment in the elderly, especially that of slowing of distinct motor and attentional functions, as well as slowing of mental processing. Mild LA in normal aged subjects could also signal brain at risk for further cognitive impairment.
评估磁共振成像上所见的白质改变（脑白质疏松症[LA]）与认知功能之间的关联。
对基于人群的随机样本连续选取的神经功能正常的老年受试者队列进行调查。
芬兰赫尔辛基的普通社区，即赫尔辛基衰老大脑研究。
年龄分别为55、60、65、70、75、80和85岁的神经功能正常受试者队列（分别为n = 20、18、19、18、17、17和11名受试者；总计N = 120）。
对脑室周围区域（0至24分）和半卵圆中心（0至24分）的脑白质疏松症进行评分；此外，还得出了总的LA评分（0至48分）。神经心理测试组合涵盖记忆、语言智力和结构功能、语言、速度和注意力、心理加工速度以及简单的精神运动速度。
正常受试者中获得了与年龄相关的低LA评分以及认知功能的衰退。在控制年龄后，我们发现速度和注意力，以及通过连线测验A和斯特鲁普测验所测量的心理加工速度与总的LA评分相关。然而，受试者之间存在很大差异。比较有和没有LA的组，证实了LA与连线测验A时间、斯特鲁普测验结果（单词/时间和差异/时间）以及速度和注意力的复合评分之间的关联。脑室周围LA的存在尤其与心理加工速度有关。
脑白质疏松症可以解释老年人的一些智力损害，尤其是明显的运动和注意力功能减慢以及心理加工减慢。正常老年受试者中的轻度LA也可能预示大脑有进一步认知损害的风险。
