Maria Valds Hernandez1, Lars Penke2,
Susana Muoz Maniega1, Catherine Murray2, Natalie Royle1,
Alan J. Gow2, John M. Starr3, Mark E. Bastin4,
Ian J. Deary2, Joanna M. Wardlaw1
1Clinical Neurosciences, University of
Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; 2Psychology, University of
Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; 3Geriatric Medicine,
University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; 4Medical
Physics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Intensity
of white matter lesions (WMLs) on structural MRI may be linked to the severity
of underlying white matter damage, and hence to old age cognitive decline.
Here we investigate relationships between the volumes of intense (i) and
less-intense (Li) WMLs in a unique cohort of ? subjects in whom cognitive
ability is available in both youth (11 years) and old age (72-73 years).
iWMLs were predominant located in frontal areas, while LiWMLs were mainly
located posteriorly. iWMLs had a stronger relationship with cognition than
LiWMLs in both youth and old age. These findings support the frontal ageing
hypothesis.