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  • Diffusion tensor imaging detects age related white matter change over a 2 year follow-up which is associated with working memory decline

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Research paper
Diffusion tensor imaging detects age related white matter change over a 2 year follow-up which is associated with working memory decline
  1. R A Charlton1,
  2. F Schiavone1,
  3. T R Barrick1,
  4. R G Morris2,
  5. H S Markus1
  1. 1
    Clinical Neuroscience, St George’s University of London, UK
  2. 2
    Department of Psychology, King’s College, Institute of Psychiatry, University of London, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr R Charlton, Clinical Neuroscience, St George’s University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK; rcharlton{at}sgul.ac.uk

Abstract

Background: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a sensitive method for detecting white matter damage, and in cross sectional studies DTI measures correlate with age related cognitive decline. However, there are few data on whether DTI can detect age related changes over short time periods and whether such change correlates with cognitive function.

Methods: In a community sample of 84 middle-aged and elderly adults, MRI and cognitive testing were performed at baseline and after 2 years. Changes in DTI white matter histograms, white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume and brain volume were determined. Change over time in performance on tests of executive function, working memory and information processing speed were also assessed.

Results: Significant change in all MRI measures was detected. For cognition, change was detected for working memory and this correlated with change in DTI only. In a stepwise regression, with change in working memory as the dependent variable, a DTI histogram measure explained 10.8% of the variance in working memory. Change in WMH or brain volume did not contribute to the model.

Conclusions: DTI is sensitive to age related change in white matter ultrastructure and appears useful for monitoring age related white matter change even over short time periods.

https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.2008.167288

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    Footnotes

    • Funding The GENIE study was funded by a UK charity Research into Ageing Program grant. FS is funded by an MRC studentship.

    • Competing interests None.

    • Ethics approval Ethics committee approval was obtained from Wandsworth Local Research Ethics Committee.

    • Provenance and Peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.