The association between cognitive function and white matter lesion location in older adults: a systematic review
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Maintaining cognitive function is essential for healthy aging and to function autonomously within society. White matter lesions (WMLs) are associated with reduced cognitive function in older adults. However, whether their anatomical...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2012-10-01
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| Series: | BMC Neurology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2377/12/126 |
| _version_ | 1819140406512713728 |
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| author | Bolandzadeh Niousha Davis Jennifer C Tam Roger Handy Todd C Liu-Ambrose Teresa |
| author_facet | Bolandzadeh Niousha Davis Jennifer C Tam Roger Handy Todd C Liu-Ambrose Teresa |
| author_sort | Bolandzadeh Niousha |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Maintaining cognitive function is essential for healthy aging and to function autonomously within society. White matter lesions (WMLs) are associated with reduced cognitive function in older adults. However, whether their anatomical location moderates these associations is not well-established. This review systematically evaluates peer-reviewed evidence on the role of anatomical location in the association between WMLs and cognitive function.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement, databases of EMBASE, PUBMED, MEDLINE, and CINAHL, and reference lists of selected papers were searched. We limited our search results to adults aged 60 years and older, and studies published in the English language from 2000 to 2011. Studies that investigated the association between cognitive function and WML location were included. Two independent reviewers extracted: 1) study characteristics including sample size, sample characteristic, and study design; 2) WML outcomes including WML location, WML quantification method (scoring or volume measurement), strength of the MRI magnet in Tesla, and MRI sequence used for WML detection; and 3) cognitive function outcomes including cognitive tests for two cognitive domains of memory and executive function/processing speed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 14 studies included, seven compared the association of subcortical versus periventricular WMLs with cognitive function. Seven other studies investigated the association between WMLs in specific brain regions (e.g., frontal, parietal lobes) and cognitive function. Overall, the results show that a greater number of studies have found an association between periventricular WMLs and executive function/processing speed, than subcortical WMLs. However, whether WMLs in different brain regions have a differential effect on cognitive function remains unclear.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Evidence suggests that periventricular WMLs may have a significant negative impact on cognitive abilities of older adults. This finding may be influenced by study heterogeneity in: 1) MRI sequences, WML quantification methods, and neuropsychological batteries; 2) modifying effect of cardiovascular risk factors; and 3) quality of studies and lack of sample size calculation.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T11:38:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-50017b841d704cf490e166ad451e2c22 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2377 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T11:38:03Z |
| publishDate | 2012-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Neurology |
| spelling | doaj.art-50017b841d704cf490e166ad451e2c222022-12-21T18:27:23ZengBMCBMC Neurology1471-23772012-10-0112112610.1186/1471-2377-12-126The association between cognitive function and white matter lesion location in older adults: a systematic reviewBolandzadeh NioushaDavis Jennifer CTam RogerHandy Todd CLiu-Ambrose Teresa<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Maintaining cognitive function is essential for healthy aging and to function autonomously within society. White matter lesions (WMLs) are associated with reduced cognitive function in older adults. However, whether their anatomical location moderates these associations is not well-established. This review systematically evaluates peer-reviewed evidence on the role of anatomical location in the association between WMLs and cognitive function.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement, databases of EMBASE, PUBMED, MEDLINE, and CINAHL, and reference lists of selected papers were searched. We limited our search results to adults aged 60 years and older, and studies published in the English language from 2000 to 2011. Studies that investigated the association between cognitive function and WML location were included. Two independent reviewers extracted: 1) study characteristics including sample size, sample characteristic, and study design; 2) WML outcomes including WML location, WML quantification method (scoring or volume measurement), strength of the MRI magnet in Tesla, and MRI sequence used for WML detection; and 3) cognitive function outcomes including cognitive tests for two cognitive domains of memory and executive function/processing speed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 14 studies included, seven compared the association of subcortical versus periventricular WMLs with cognitive function. Seven other studies investigated the association between WMLs in specific brain regions (e.g., frontal, parietal lobes) and cognitive function. Overall, the results show that a greater number of studies have found an association between periventricular WMLs and executive function/processing speed, than subcortical WMLs. However, whether WMLs in different brain regions have a differential effect on cognitive function remains unclear.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Evidence suggests that periventricular WMLs may have a significant negative impact on cognitive abilities of older adults. This finding may be influenced by study heterogeneity in: 1) MRI sequences, WML quantification methods, and neuropsychological batteries; 2) modifying effect of cardiovascular risk factors; and 3) quality of studies and lack of sample size calculation.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2377/12/126White matter lesionsDistributionCognitionAging |
| spellingShingle | Bolandzadeh Niousha Davis Jennifer C Tam Roger Handy Todd C Liu-Ambrose Teresa The association between cognitive function and white matter lesion location in older adults: a systematic review BMC Neurology White matter lesions Distribution Cognition Aging |
| title | The association between cognitive function and white matter lesion location in older adults: a systematic review |
| title_full | The association between cognitive function and white matter lesion location in older adults: a systematic review |
| title_fullStr | The association between cognitive function and white matter lesion location in older adults: a systematic review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The association between cognitive function and white matter lesion location in older adults: a systematic review |
| title_short | The association between cognitive function and white matter lesion location in older adults: a systematic review |
| title_sort | association between cognitive function and white matter lesion location in older adults a systematic review |
| topic | White matter lesions Distribution Cognition Aging |
| url | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2377/12/126 |
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