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Metabolic syndrome and localization of white matter hyperintensities in the elderly population
Author(s) -
Portet Florence,
Brickman Adam M.,
Stern Yaakov,
Scarmeas Nikolaos,
Muraskin Jordan,
Provenzano Frank A.,
Berr Claudine,
Bonafé Alain,
Artero Sylvaine,
Ritchie Karen,
Akbaraly Tasnime N.
Publication year - 2012
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 - 10.1016/j.jalz.2011.11.007
Subject(s) - metabolic syndrome , national cholesterol education program , medicine , abdominal obesity , hyperintensity , odds ratio , confounding , dyslipidemia , cohort , confidence interval , obesity , gerontology , cardiology , demography , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology , sociology
Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a clustering of metabolic disorders: abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. Although specific components of MetS have been associated with white matter hyperintensities (WMH), less is known about the association between MetS as a whole and WMH, especially in normal aging. We aimed to: (1) investigate this association in a cohort of healthy elderly individuals, and (2) examine the relationship between MetS and the regional distribution of WMH, to further understanding of the relationship between MetS and structural brain changes. Methods Analyses were carried out on 308 participants (48.1% men, age: 71.0 ± 3.9 years) from the French longitudinal ESPRIT (Enquête de Santé Psychologique ‐ Risques, Incidence et Traitement) study, who were free of cerebrovascular disease cognitive and functional impairment. Logistic regression models were used to examine the cross‐sectional association between MetS (defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program–Adult Treatment Panel III criteria) and (1) WMH volumes, and (2) WMH volumes according to their localization in insulofrontal and temporoparietal regions. Results After adjusting for potential confounders, participants with MetS had a twofold increased chance of presenting with high levels of WMH volume compared with those without (odds ratio [OR] = 2.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25–6.03). MetS was specifically associated with an increase of temporoparietal WMH volumes, but no association was found between MetS and WMH localized in the insulofrontal region. Conclusion Our findings suggest that effective management of MetS may reduce WMH accumulation in brain areas already vulnerable to the aging process.