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White matter hyperintensity topography in Alzheimer's disease and links to cognition
Author(s) -
GarnierCrussard Antoine,
Bougacha Salma,
Wirth Miranka,
Dautricourt Sophie,
Sherif Siya,
Landeau Brigitte,
Gonneaud Julie,
De Flores Robin,
de la Sayette Vincent,
Vivien Denis,
KrolakSalmon Pierre,
Chételat Gaël
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1002/alz.12410
Subject(s) - splenium , hyperintensity , corpus callosum , atrophy , cognition , psychology , white matter , neuroscience , cardiology , brain size , alzheimer's disease , medicine , audiology , disease , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology
White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are often described in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but their topography and specific relationships with cognition remain unclear. Methods Regional WMH were estimated in 54 cognitively impaired amyloid beta–positive AD (Aβpos‐AD), compared to 40 cognitively unimpaired amyloid beta–negative older controls (Aβneg‐controls) matched for vascular risk factors. The cross‐sectional association between regional WMH volume and cognition was assessed within each group, controlling for cerebral amyloid burden, global cortical atrophy, and hippocampal atrophy. Results WMH volume was larger in Aβpos‐AD compared to Aβneg‐controls in all regions, with the greatest changes in the splenium of the corpus callosum (S‐CC). In Aβpos‐AD patients, larger total and regional WMH volume, especially in the S‐CC, was strongly associated with decreased cognition. Discussion WMH specifically contribute to lower cognition in AD, independently from amyloid deposition and atrophy. This study emphasizes the clinical relevance of WMH in AD, especially posterior WMH, and most notably S‐CC WMH.