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The effect of white matter hyperintensities on neurodegeneration in mild cognitive impairment
Author(s) -
Tosto Giuseppe,
Zimmerman Molly E.,
Hamilton Jamie L.,
Carmichael Owen T.,
Brickman Adam M.
Publication year - 2015
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.2015.05.014
Subject(s) - hyperintensity , neurodegeneration , atrophy , white matter , entorhinal cortex , psychology , magnetic resonance imaging , neuroscience , cardiology , dementia , alzheimer's disease , medicine , disease , hippocampus , radiology
It is unclear whether white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), magnetic resonance imaging markers of small‐vessel cerebrovascular disease, promote neurodegeneration and associated clinical decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD), or simply co‐occur with recognized pathogenic processes. Methods In 169 patients with mild cognitive impairment, followed for 3 years, we examined the association of (1) baseline regional WMH and cerebral spinal fluid–derived t‐tau (total tau) with entorhinal cortex atrophy rates, as a marker of AD‐related neurodegeneration, and conversion to AD; and (2) baseline regional WMH with change in t‐tau level. Results In participants with low baseline t‐tau, higher regional WMH volumes were associated with faster entorhinal cortex atrophy. Higher parietal WMH volume predicted conversion to AD in those with high t‐tau. Higher parietal and occipital WMH volumes predicted increasing t‐tau. Discussion WMHs affect AD clinical and pathologic processes both directly and interacting with tau.