Study of cognitive dysfunction and its features in patients with age-related cerebral white matter changes / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the relationship between age-related cerebral white matter changes (ARWMC) and cognitive function, observe the features of cognitive impairment in ARWMC patients, and provide evidences for preventing and treating cognitive impairment in elderly people.Methods Fifty patients with ARWMC were divided into mild-to-moderate group (n= 26, ARWMC score 1-10) and severe group (n= 24, ARWMC score＞ 10) based on the ARWMC scale of CT/MRI scans. Twenty healthy elderly people, who underwent physical examination in hospital, were selected as control group. The cognitive function was evaluated using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA,Beijing version). Cognitive functions were compared between patients with ARWMC at different extents and the controls. The correlation between severity of ARWMC and cognitive function, the characteristics of cognitive impairment in patients with ARWMC were analyzed. Results The cognitive function in patients with ARWMC was impaired significantly (the MoCA scores were 26.60±1.23 in control group, 23. 19±2. 62 in mild-to-moderate group and 19.83±3. 09 in sever group, F =39. 930, P = 0. 000). The severity of ARWMC was negatively related with MoCA score (r =-0. 476, P=0. 000). The patients showed cognitive impairment especially in the visuoconstructional and executive functions (F= 13. 189, P＜0.05), delayed recall (F=32.340, P＜0.05) and orientation (F= 15.813, P＜0. 05). Conclusions ARWMC is related with cognitive impairment.The severity of white matter changes is correlated with worse cognitive function.