Abstract
MRI leukoaraiosis (LA) is less likely to interfere with simple compared to more complex working memory (WM) skills. We hypothesize that LA within the left hemisphere negatively impacts higher-level WM processes in dementia. Participants with dementia (n=64; MMSE=22.0+/-3.4) performed a Backward Digit Task measuring simple storage/rehearsal (ANY-ORDER) and complex disengagement/temporal re-ordering (SERIAL-ORDER) recall. A visual rating scale categorized MRI-LA in five regions per hemisphere: frontal and parietal centrum semiovale, white matter around the frontal horns, body of the lateral ventricles and posterior horns. Amidst equivalent hemispheric LA scores [t(62)=-1.12, p>0.05], correlations revealed an association between left-sided LA and SERIAL-ORDER recall (r=-0.31, p=0.007) with LA around the posterior horn (rho=-0.30, p=0.008) and frontal centrum semiovale (rho=-0.29, p=0.01) showing the greatest association. Regression modeling confirmed the left posterior horn contribution to SERIAL-ORDER performance variance. Results suggest involvement of anterior (fronto-striatal) and more posterior (inferior parietal) white matter tracts in higher order WM deficits in dementia.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2597-601 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Neuropsychologia |
| Volume | 46 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Aug 2008 |
Keywords
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Brain Mapping
- Dementia
- Female
- Humans
- Leukoaraiosis
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Male
- Memory Disorders
- Memory, Short-Term
- Neuropsychological Tests