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Dang M, Sang F, Long S, Chen Y. The Aging Patterns of Brain Structure, Function, and Energy Metabolism. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1419:85-97. [PMID: 37418208 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-99-1627-6_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
The normal aging process brings changes in brain structure, function, and energy metabolism, which are presumed to contribute to the age-related decline in brain function and cognitive ability. This chapter aims to summarize the aging patterns of brain structure, function, and energy metabolism to distinguish them from the pathological changes associated with neurodegenerative diseases and explore protective factors in aging. We first described the normal atrophy pattern of cortical gray matter with age, which is negatively affected by some neurodegenerative diseases and is protected by a healthy lifestyle, such as physical exercise. Next, we summarized the main types of age-related white matter lesions, including white matter atrophy and hyperintensity. Age-related white matter changes mainly occurred in the frontal lobe, and white matter lesions in posterior regions may be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, the relationship between brain activity and various cognitive functions during aging was discussed based on electroencephalography, magnetoencephalogram, and functional magnetic resonance imaging. An age-related reduction in occipital activity is coupled with increased frontal activity, which supports the posterior-anterior shift in aging (PASA) theory. Finally, we discussed the relationship between amyloid-β deposition and tau accumulation in the brain, as pathological manifestations of neurodegenerative disease and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxi Dang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative (BABRI) Centre, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Sang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative (BABRI) Centre, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Shijie Long
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative (BABRI) Centre, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yaojing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative (BABRI) Centre, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
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Jiménez-Sánchez L, Hamilton OKL, Clancy U, Backhouse EV, Stewart CR, Stringer MS, Doubal FN, Wardlaw JM. Sex Differences in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Neurol 2021; 12:756887. [PMID: 34777227 PMCID: PMC8581736 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.756887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is a common cause of stroke, mild cognitive impairment, dementia and physical impairments. Differences in SVD incidence or severity between males and females are unknown. We assessed sex differences in SVD by assessing the male-to-female ratio (M:F) of recruited participants and incidence of SVD, risk factor presence, distribution, and severity of SVD features. Methods: We assessed four recent systematic reviews on SVD and performed a supplementary search of MEDLINE to identify studies reporting M:F ratio in covert, stroke, or cognitive SVD presentations (registered protocol: CRD42020193995). We meta-analyzed differences in sex ratios across time, countries, SVD severity and presentations, age and risk factors for SVD. Results: Amongst 123 relevant studies (n = 36,910 participants) including 53 community-based, 67 hospital-based and three mixed studies published between 1989 and 2020, more males were recruited in hospital-based than in community-based studies [M:F = 1.16 (0.70) vs. M:F = 0.79 (0.35), respectively; p < 0.001]. More males had moderate to severe SVD [M:F = 1.08 (0.81) vs. M:F = 0.82 (0.47) in healthy to mild SVD; p < 0.001], and stroke presentations where M:F was 1.67 (0.53). M:F did not differ for recent (2015-2020) vs. pre-2015 publications, by geographical region, or age. There were insufficient sex-stratified data to explore M:F and risk factors for SVD. Conclusions: Our results highlight differences in male-to-female ratios in SVD severity and amongst those presenting with stroke that have important clinical and translational implications. Future SVD research should report participant demographics, risk factors and outcomes separately for males and females. Systematic Review Registration: [PROSPERO], identifier [CRD42020193995].
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Jiménez-Sánchez
- Translational Neuroscience PhD Programme, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Olivia K. L. Hamilton
- Translational Neuroscience PhD Programme, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Edinburgh Dementia Research Centre in the UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Una Clancy
- Edinburgh Dementia Research Centre in the UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ellen V. Backhouse
- Edinburgh Dementia Research Centre in the UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Catriona R. Stewart
- Edinburgh Dementia Research Centre in the UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Michael S. Stringer
- Edinburgh Dementia Research Centre in the UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Fergus N. Doubal
- Edinburgh Dementia Research Centre in the UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna M. Wardlaw
- Edinburgh Dementia Research Centre in the UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Lothian Birth Cohorts, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Hillary RF, Stevenson AJ, Cox SR, McCartney DL, Harris SE, Seeboth A, Higham J, Sproul D, Taylor AM, Redmond P, Corley J, Pattie A, Hernández MDCV, Muñoz-Maniega S, Bastin ME, Wardlaw JM, Horvath S, Ritchie CW, Spires-Jones TL, McIntosh AM, Evans KL, Deary IJ, Marioni RE. An epigenetic predictor of death captures multi-modal measures of brain health. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:3806-3816. [PMID: 31796892 PMCID: PMC8550950 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0616-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Individuals of the same chronological age exhibit disparate rates of biological ageing. Consequently, a number of methodologies have been proposed to determine biological age and primarily exploit variation at the level of DNA methylation (DNAm). A novel epigenetic clock, termed 'DNAm GrimAge' has outperformed its predecessors in predicting the risk of mortality as well as many age-related morbidities. However, the association between DNAm GrimAge and cognitive or neuroimaging phenotypes remains unknown. We explore these associations in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (n = 709, mean age 73 years). Higher DNAm GrimAge was strongly associated with all-cause mortality over the eighth decade (Hazard Ratio per standard deviation increase in GrimAge: 1.81, P < 2.0 × 10-16). Higher DNAm GrimAge was associated with lower age 11 IQ (β = -0.11), lower age 73 general cognitive ability (β = -0.18), decreased brain volume (β = -0.25) and increased brain white matter hyperintensities (β = 0.17). There was tentative evidence for a longitudinal association between DNAm GrimAge and cognitive decline from age 70 to 79. Sixty-nine of 137 health- and brain-related phenotypes tested were significantly associated with GrimAge. Adjusting all models for childhood intelligence attenuated to non-significance a small number of associations (12/69 associations; 6 of which were cognitive traits), but not the association with general cognitive ability (33.9% attenuation). Higher DNAm GrimAge associates with lower cognitive ability and brain vascular lesions in older age, independently of early-life cognitive ability. This epigenetic predictor of mortality associates with different measures of brain health and may aid in the prediction of age-related cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Hillary
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Anna J Stevenson
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Simon R Cox
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Daniel L McCartney
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sarah E Harris
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Anne Seeboth
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jon Higham
- Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Duncan Sproul
- Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Adele M Taylor
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Paul Redmond
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Janie Corley
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alison Pattie
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Maria Del C Valdés Hernández
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Susana Muñoz-Maniega
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mark E Bastin
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joanna M Wardlaw
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Neuroimaging Sciences, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Steve Horvath
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Craig W Ritchie
- Edinburgh Dementia Prevention, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tara L Spires-Jones
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew M McIntosh
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kathryn L Evans
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ian J Deary
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Riccardo E Marioni
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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Rodriguez FS, Lachmann T. Systematic Review on the Impact of Intelligence on Cognitive Decline and Dementia Risk. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:658. [PMID: 32765312 PMCID: PMC7378785 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that an intellectually stimulating lifestyle is associated with a lower risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD). It is unclear so far whether higher intelligence may protect against this. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review on the association between intelligence and cognitive decline and ADRD risk. METHODS We searched the PubMed, web of science, and Scopus databases following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) criteria. Quality of evidence was assessed using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists. RESULTS From an initial n=8,371 search hits, n= 14 studies met the inclusion criteria and had sufficient quality. Evidence indicates that cognitive decline in old age is not significantly associated with childhood intelligence (n=9). Evidence with regard to ADRD risk is inconclusive (n=5) with some studies showing no effects and other studies with significant effects having limitations in their design. CONCLUSIONS Even though the majority of the studies show no significant association, we cannot exclude a possible effect that might be moderated by other, so far unknown factors. Further studies are necessary to systematically assess the influence of intelligence on ADRD risk and what factors moderate this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca S Rodriguez
- RG Psychosocial Epidemiology and Public Health, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Greifswald, Germany.,Center for Cognitive Science, University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany.,Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Lachmann
- Center for Cognitive Science, University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany.,Facultad de Lenguas y Educación, Universidad Nebrija, Madrid, Spain
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Walhovd KB, Howell GR, Ritchie SJ, Staff RT, Cotman CW. What are the earlier life contributions to reserve and resilience? Neurobiol Aging 2019; 83:135-139. [PMID: 31307838 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The brain's structures and functions arise from a combination of developmental processes and interaction with environmental experiences, beginning in utero and continuing throughout the lifespan. Broadly, the process that we think of as "successful aging" likely has its foundation in early life and is continuously shaped as life experiences are programmed into the brain in response to a changing environment. Thus, individual lifestyle choices and interventions aimed at increasing cognitive reserve and resilience could change the course of cognitive aging. To determine the relative efficacy of these approaches, we will need to understand how the timing of these interventions (e.g., age, duration, frequency) influences cognitive capacity through the lifespan. Although analysis of age-related changes in cognitive function reveals a general decline at the population level, it has become clear that there is great individual variance in the extent to which cognitive function changes with advanced age. The factors responsible for the individual differences in cognitive decline are unclear, but uncovering them with new analytical tools, epigenetic approaches, and subpopulation studies will provide a roadmap toward enhancing reserve and resilience in the population at large and preserving cognitive function in a greater number of aging individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine B Walhovd
- Department of Psychology, Center for Lifespan Changes in Brain and Cognition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Stuart J Ritchie
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Roger T Staff
- Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS Grampian, Scotland, UK
| | - Carl W Cotman
- Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
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Early life characteristics and late life burden of cerebral small vessel disease in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. Aging (Albany NY) 2017; 8:2039-2061. [PMID: 27652981 PMCID: PMC5076451 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
It is unknown whether relations between early-life factors and overall health in later life apply to burden of cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD), a major cause of stroke and dementia. We explored relations between early-life factors and cSVD in the Lothian Birth Cohort, a healthy aging cohort. Participants were recruited at age 70 (N = 1091); most had completed a test of cognitive ability at age 11 as part of the Scottish Mental Survey of 1947. Of those, 700 participants had brain MRI that could be rated for cSVD conducted at age 73. Presence of lacunes, white matter hyperintensities, microbleeds, and perivascular spaces were summed in a score of 0-4 representing all MRI cSVD features. We tested associations with early-life factors using multivariate logistic regression. Greater SVD score was significantly associated with lower age-11 IQ (OR higher SVD score per SD age-11 IQ = .78, 95%CI 0.65-.95, p=.01). The associations between SVD score and own job class (OR higher job class, .64 95%CI .43-.95, p=.03), age-11 deprivation index (OR per point deprivation score, 1.08, 95%CI 1.00-1.17, p=.04), and education (OR some qualifying education, .60 95%CI .37-.98, p=.04) trended towards significance (p<.05 for all) but did not meet thresholds for multiple testing. No early-life factor was significantly associated with any one individual score component. Early-life factors may contribute to age-73 burden of cSVD. These relations, and the potential for early social interventions to improve brain health, deserve further study.
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Backhouse EV, McHutchison CA, Cvoro V, Shenkin SD, Wardlaw JM. Early life risk factors for cerebrovascular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurology 2017; 88:976-984. [PMID: 28188307 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000003687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) causes subclinical brain vascular lesions detected using neuroimaging and childhood factors may increase later CVD risk. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and EMBASE, and meta-analyzed all available evidence on childhood (premorbid) IQ, socioeconomic status (SES), education, and subclinical CVD in later life. Overall odds ratios (OR), mean difference or correlation, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random effects methods. RESULTS We identified 30 relevant studies (n = 22,890). Lower childhood IQ and lower childhood SES were associated with more white matter hyperintensities (WMH) (IQ: n = 1,512, r = -0.07, 95% CI -0.12 to -0.02, p = 0.007; SES: n = 243, deep WMH r = -0.18, periventricular WMH r = -0.146). Fewer years of education were associated with several CVD markers (n = 15,439, OR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.31, p = 0.003). No studies assessed early life factors combined. CONCLUSIONS Childhood IQ, SES, and education are associated with increased risk of CVD on neuroimaging in later life. Further studies are required to provide further evidence and thereby inform policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen V Backhouse
- From the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.V.B., C.A.M., V.C., J.M.W.), Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (C.A.M., V.C., S.D.S., J.M.W.), and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences (S.D.S.), University of Edinburgh; and Scottish Imaging Network (V.C., S.D.S., J.M.W.), A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE), UK
| | - Caroline A McHutchison
- From the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.V.B., C.A.M., V.C., J.M.W.), Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (C.A.M., V.C., S.D.S., J.M.W.), and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences (S.D.S.), University of Edinburgh; and Scottish Imaging Network (V.C., S.D.S., J.M.W.), A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE), UK
| | - Vera Cvoro
- From the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.V.B., C.A.M., V.C., J.M.W.), Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (C.A.M., V.C., S.D.S., J.M.W.), and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences (S.D.S.), University of Edinburgh; and Scottish Imaging Network (V.C., S.D.S., J.M.W.), A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE), UK
| | - Susan D Shenkin
- From the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.V.B., C.A.M., V.C., J.M.W.), Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (C.A.M., V.C., S.D.S., J.M.W.), and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences (S.D.S.), University of Edinburgh; and Scottish Imaging Network (V.C., S.D.S., J.M.W.), A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE), UK
| | - Joanna M Wardlaw
- From the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences (E.V.B., C.A.M., V.C., J.M.W.), Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology (C.A.M., V.C., S.D.S., J.M.W.), and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Clinical and Surgical Sciences (S.D.S.), University of Edinburgh; and Scottish Imaging Network (V.C., S.D.S., J.M.W.), A Platform for Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE), UK.
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Murray AD, McNeil CJ, Salarirad S, Whalley LJ, Staff RT. Early life socioeconomic circumstance and late life brain hyperintensities--a population based cohort study. PLoS One 2014; 9:e88969. [PMID: 24558456 PMCID: PMC3928340 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT There have been many reports confirming the association between lower childhood socioeconomic circumstance and cardiovascular disease but evidence for links with cerebrovascular disease is contradictory. Hyperintensities on brain magnetic resonance imaging are associated with vascular risk factors, cognitive decline, dementia and death. However, the relationship between childhood socioeconomic circumstance and these lesions is unclear. OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that childhood socioeconomic circumstance is associated with late life hyperintensity burden and that neither adult socioeconomic circumstance nor change in socioeconomic circumstance during life influence this effect. DESIGN Cohort study. SETTING Community. PARTICIPANTS 227 community dwelling members of the 1936 Aberdeen Birth Cohort aged 68 years, who were free from dementia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Relationship between early life socioeconomic circumstance (paternal occupation) and abundance of late life brain hyperintensities. RESULTS We find significant negative correlations between childhood socioeconomic circumstance and white matter hyperintensities (ρ = -0.18, P<0.01), and periventricular hyperintensities (ρ = -0.15, P<0.05), between educational attainment and white matter hyperintensities (ρ = -0.15, P<0.05) and periventricular hyperintensities (ρ = -0.17, P<0.05), and between childhood intelligence and periventricular hyperintensities (ρ = -0.14, P<0.05). The relationship is strongest for childhood socioeconomic circumstance and regional white matter hyperintensities, where there is a step change in increased burden from paternal occupation grades equivalent to a shift from "white collar" to "blue collar" paternal occupation. Significant correlations were also found between hypertension and hyperintensity burden in all brain regions (ρ = 0.15-0.24, P<0.05). In models that include hypertension, the magnitude of the effect of childhood socioeconomic circumstance is similar to and independent from that of hypertension. CONCLUSIONS Childhood socioeconomic circumstance predicts the burden of brain white matter hyperintensities aged 68 years. The mechanism underlying this effect is unknown, but may act through fetal and/or early life programming of cerebrovascular disease. Future work to understand this vulnerability will inform strategies to reduce dementia and stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison D. Murray
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J. McNeil
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Sima Salarirad
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Lawrence J. Whalley
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Roger T. Staff
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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9
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Murray AD, Staff RT, McNeil CJ, Salarirad S, Phillips LH, Starr J, Deary IJ, Whalley LJ. Depressive symptoms in late life and cerebrovascular disease: the importance of intelligence and lesion location. Depress Anxiety 2013; 30:77-84. [PMID: 23165823 DOI: 10.1002/da.22022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2012] [Revised: 09/03/2012] [Accepted: 10/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The influence of white matter lesions on depressive symptoms in healthy ageing populations remains unclear. In this study, we examined the relationship between depressive symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detected cerebrovascular disease in a normal population living independently in the community, and measured the influence of location of brain abnormalities, fluid intelligence, living alone, and sex. METHODS Prospective cohort: 497 community dwelling individuals all born in 1936, who took part in the Scottish Mental Survey of 1947, were followed up in 2000 and at biannual intervals in a longitudinal study of health and cognitive aging. Two hundred forty-four volunteered for brain MRI in 2004-2006. Suitable data were available in 219/244, of whom 115 were men. Brain hyperintensities in lobar white matter, basal ganglia , periventricular, and infratentorial regions were measured using Scheltens' scale. Depressed mood was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) on three biannual intervals. Relationships between Scheltens' scores, HADS-D scores, fluid intelligence, living alone, and sex were assessed using general linear modeling. RESULTS The main predictor of depressive symptom scores was poorer fluid intelligence (partial η(2) =0.023-0.028, P < .05). Ischemic change in the brainstem (partial η(2) = 0.026, P ≤.05) and basal ganglia (partial η(2) =0.018, P ≤ .05) also predicted HADS-D scores. There was no relationship with sex or living alone. CONCLUSIONS Hyperintensities in the brainstem and basal ganglia are associated with depressive symptoms. Higher fluid intelligence is associated with lower depressive symptoms in this normal, ageing population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison D Murray
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
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