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Pappas C, Bauer CE, Zachariou V, Maillard P, Caprihan A, Shao X, Wang DJ, Gold BT. MRI free water mediates the association between water exchange rate across the blood brain barrier and executive function among older adults. IMAGING NEUROSCIENCE (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2024; 2:1-15. [PMID: 38947942 PMCID: PMC11211995 DOI: 10.1162/imag_a_00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Vascular risk factors contribute to cognitive aging, with one such risk factor being dysfunction of the blood brain barrier (BBB). Studies using non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, such as diffusion prepared arterial spin labeling (DP-ASL), can estimate BBB function by measuring water exchange rate (kw). DP-ASL kw has been associated with cognition, but the directionality and strength of the relationship is still under investigation. An additional variable that measures water in extracellular space and impacts cognition, MRI free water (FW), may help explain prior findings. A total of 94 older adults without dementia (Mean age = 74.17 years, 59.6% female) underwent MRI (DP-ASL, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)) and cognitive assessment. Mean kw was computed across the whole brain (WB), and mean white matter FW was computed across all white matter. The relationship between kw and three cognitive domains (executive function, processing speed, memory) was tested using multiple linear regression. FW was tested as a mediator of the kw-cognitive relationship using the PROCESS macro. A positive association was found between WB kw and executive function [F(4,85) = 7.81, p < .001, R2= 0.269; β = .245, p = .014]. Further, this effect was qualified by subsequent results showing that FW was a mediator of the WB kw-executive function relationship (indirect effect results: standardized effect = .060, bootstrap confidence interval = .0006 to .1411). Results suggest that lower water exchange rate (kw) may contribute to greater total white matter (WM) FW which, in turn, may disrupt executive function. Taken together, proper fluid clearance at the BBB contributes to higher-order cognitive abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen Pappas
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Christopher E. Bauer
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Valentinos Zachariou
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Pauline Maillard
- Department of Neurology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Center for Neurosciences, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | | | - Xingfeng Shao
- Laboratory of FMRI Technology (LOFT), Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Danny J.J. Wang
- Laboratory of FMRI Technology (LOFT), Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Brian T. Gold
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Sanders Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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Iandolo R, Avci E, Bommarito G, Sandvig I, Rohweder G, Sandvig A. Characterizing upper extremity fine motor function in the presence of white matter hyperintensities: A 7 T MRI cross-sectional study in older adults. Neuroimage Clin 2024; 41:103569. [PMID: 38281363 PMCID: PMC10839532 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2024.103569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are a prevalent radiographic finding in the aging brain studies. Research on WMH association with motor impairment is mostly focused on the lower-extremity function and further investigation on the upper-extremity is needed. How different degrees of WMH burden impact the network of activation recruited during upper limb motor performance could provide further insight on the complex mechanisms of WMH pathophysiology and its interaction with aging and neurological disease processes. METHODS 40 healthy elderly subjects without a neurological/psychiatric diagnosis were included in the study (16F, mean age 69.3 years). All subjects underwent ultra-high field 7 T MRI including structural and finger tapping task-fMRI. First, we quantified the WMH lesion load and its spatial distribution. Secondly, we performed a data-driven stratification of the subjects according to their periventricular and deep WMH burdens. Thirdly, we investigated the distribution of neural recruitment and the corresponding activity assessed through BOLD signal changes among different brain regions for groups of subjects. We clustered the degree of WMH based on location, numbers, and volume into three categories; ranging from mild, moderate, and severe. Finally, we explored how the spatial distribution of WMH, and activity elicited during task-fMRI relate to motor function, measured with the 9-Hole Peg Test. RESULTS Within our population, we found three subgroups of subjects, partitioned according to their periventricular and deep WMH lesion load. We found decreased activity in several frontal and cingulate cortex areas in subjects with a severe WMH burden. No statistically significant associations were found when performing the brain-behavior statistical analysis for structural or functional data. CONCLUSION WMH burden has an effect on brain activity during fine motor control and the activity changes are associated with varying degrees of the total burden and distributions of WMH lesions. Collectively, our results shed new light on the potential impact of WMH on motor function in the context of aging and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Iandolo
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Esin Avci
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Giulia Bommarito
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ioanna Sandvig
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Gitta Rohweder
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway; Stroke Unit, Department of Medicine, St Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Axel Sandvig
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway; Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neuro, Head and Neck, Umeå University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden; Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden.
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Rowsthorn E, Pham W, Nazem-Zadeh MR, Law M, Pase MP, Harding IH. Imaging the neurovascular unit in health and neurodegeneration: a scoping review of interdependencies between MRI measures. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:97. [PMID: 38129925 PMCID: PMC10734164 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00499-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurovascular unit (NVU) is a complex structure that facilitates nutrient delivery and metabolic waste clearance, forms the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and supports fluid homeostasis in the brain. The integrity of NVU subcomponents can be measured in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including quantification of enlarged perivascular spaces (ePVS), BBB permeability, cerebral perfusion and extracellular free water. The breakdown of NVU subparts is individually associated with aging, pathology, and cognition. However, how these subcomponents interact as a system, and how interdependencies are impacted by pathology remains unclear. This systematic scoping review identified 26 studies that investigated the inter-relationships between multiple subcomponents of the NVU in nonclinical and neurodegenerative populations using MRI. A further 112 studies investigated associations between the NVU and white matter hyperintensities (WMH). We identify two putative clusters of NVU interdependencies: a 'vascular' cluster comprising BBB permeability, perfusion and basal ganglia ePVS; and a 'fluid' cluster comprising ePVS, free water and WMH. Emerging evidence suggests that subcomponent coupling within these clusters may be differentially related to aging, neurovascular injury or neurodegenerative pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella Rowsthorn
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health & School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - William Pham
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Mohammad-Reza Nazem-Zadeh
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Meng Law
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Radiology, Alfred Health, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, Monash University, 14 Alliance Lane, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Matthew P Pase
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health & School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ian H Harding
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, 762-772 Blackburn Road, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
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Lv K, Liu Y, Chen Y, Buch S, Wang Y, Yu Z, Wang H, Zhao C, Fu D, Wang H, Wang B, Zhang S, Luo Y, Haacke EM, Shen W, Chai C, Xia S. The iron burden of cerebral microbleeds contributes to brain atrophy through the mediating effect of white matter hyperintensity. Neuroimage 2023; 281:120370. [PMID: 37716591 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The goal of this work was to explore the total iron burden of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) using a semi-automatic quantitative susceptibility mapping and to establish its effect on brain atrophy through the mediating effect of white matter hyperintensities (WMH). A total of 95 community-dwelling people were enrolled. Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) combined with a dynamic programming algorithm (DPA) was used to measure the characteristics of 1309 CMBs. WMH were evaluated according to the Fazekas scale, and brain atrophy was assessed using a 2D linear measurement method. Histogram analysis was used to explore the distribution of CMBs susceptibility, volume, and total iron burden, while a correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between volume and susceptibility. Stepwise regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors for CMBs and their contribution to brain atrophy. Mediation analysis was used to explore the interrelationship between CMBs and brain atrophy. We found that the frequency distribution of susceptibility of the CMBs was Gaussian in nature with a mean of 201 ppb and a standard deviation of 84 ppb; however, the volume and total iron burden of CMBs were more Rician in nature. A weak but significant correlation between the susceptibility and volume of CMBs was found (r = -0.113, P < 0.001). The periventricular WMH (PVWMH) was a risk factor for the presence of CMBs (number: β = 0.251, P = 0.014; volume: β = 0.237, P = 0.042; total iron burden: β = 0.238, P = 0.020) and was a risk factor for brain atrophy (third ventricle width: β = 0.325, P = 0.001; Evans's index: β = 0.323, P = 0.001). PVWMH had a significant mediating effect on the correlation between CMBs and brain atrophy. In conclusion, QSM along with the DPA can measure the total iron burden of CMBs. PVWMH might be a risk factor for CMBs and may mediate the effect of CMBs on brain atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Lv
- Department of Radiology, First Central Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanzhen Liu
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Chest Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yongsheng Chen
- Department of Neurology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Sagar Buch
- Department of Neurology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Ying Wang
- Magnetic Resonance Innovations, Inc., Bingham Farms, MI, USA; Department of Radiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Zhuo Yu
- Department of Radiology, First Central Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Huiying Wang
- The School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Chenxi Zhao
- Department of Radiology, First Central Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Dingwei Fu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Huapeng Wang
- Department of Radiology, First Central Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Beini Wang
- Department of Radiology, First Central Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | | | - Yu Luo
- Department of Radiology, Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - E Mark Haacke
- Department of Neurology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; Magnetic Resonance Innovations, Inc., Bingham Farms, MI, USA; Department of Radiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Wen Shen
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Institute of Imaging Medicine, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Chao Chai
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Institute of Imaging Medicine, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Shuang Xia
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Institute of Imaging Medicine, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
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Su Y, Wu W, Qin Z, Li C, Zhao J, Kang J, Wang Y, Zheng C, Haacke EM, Wang L. Deep gray matters iron deposition is positively associated with white matter hyperintensity in hypertension. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) 2023; 25:768-777. [PMID: 37491795 PMCID: PMC10423754 DOI: 10.1111/jch.14694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
The association and underlying mechanisms between iron deposition and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) remain unclear. In this study, quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) was used to quantify deep gray matters iron deposition and to explore the association from both global and regional perspectives. A total of 84 patients with hypertension and 26 healthy controls underwent a strategically acquired gradient echo (STAGE) protocol, and the multi-echo data were used to reconstruct QSM images. The susceptibilities were used to describe iron content. Global region (RI) susceptibilities were measured in regions of interest, and age-related thresholds were used to determine high-iron content region (RII) susceptibilities. Compared with healthy controls, hypertension had higher total WMH scores and regional scores (all p = .001) and higher susceptibilities using the RI or RII analysis (all p < .05). In healthy controls, there was no significant association between susceptibilities and WMH scores. In hypertension, the susceptibilities of deep gray matters were positively correlated with WMH scores (RI analysis: right putamen; RII analysis: bilateral caudate nucleus head, putamen, red nucleus, substantia nigra, and dentate nucleus; age and education corrected p < .05). These findings suggest that iron deposition in deep gray matters was positively associated with WMH in hypertension, especially using the RII analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Su
- Department of RadiologyUnion Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular ImagingWuhanChina
| | - Wenjun Wu
- Department of RadiologyUnion Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular ImagingWuhanChina
| | - Ziji Qin
- Department of RadiologyThe People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous RegionNanningChina
| | - Chungao Li
- Department of RadiologyUnion Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular ImagingWuhanChina
| | - Jie Zhao
- Department of RadiologyUnion Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular ImagingWuhanChina
| | - Jiamin Kang
- Department of RadiologyUnion Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular ImagingWuhanChina
| | - Youzhi Wang
- Department of RadiologyUnion Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular ImagingWuhanChina
| | - Chuansheng Zheng
- Department of RadiologyUnion Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular ImagingWuhanChina
| | - Ewart Mark Haacke
- Magnetic Resonance InnovationsBingham FarmsMichiganUSA
- Department of RadiologyWayne State UniversityDetroitMichiganUSA
| | - Lixia Wang
- Department of RadiologyUnion Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular ImagingWuhanChina
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Lin Z, Lim C, Jiang D, Soldan A, Pettigrew C, Oishi K, Zhu Y, Moghekar A, Liu P, Albert M, Lu H. Longitudinal changes in brain oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) in older adults: Relationship to markers of vascular and Alzheimer's pathology. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:569-577. [PMID: 35791732 PMCID: PMC10838398 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) reflects the balance between oxygen delivery and consumption. We longitudinally measured OEF in older adults to examine the relationship with markers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular pathology. METHODS One hundred thirty-seven participants were studied at two time-points at an interval of 2.16 years. OEF was measured using T2 -relaxation-under-spin-tagging (TRUST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The association between OEF and vascular risks, white matter hyperintensities (WMH), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) measures of amyloid beta (Aβ), total tau (t-tau), and phosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau181) was examined. RESULTS OEF increased from baseline to follow-up. The increase in OEF was more prominent in individuals with high vascular risks compared to those with low vascular risks, and was associated with progression of vascular risks and the growth in WMH volume. OEF change was not related to CSF markers of AD pathology or their progression. DISCUSSION Longitudinal OEF change in older adults is primarily related to vascular pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Lin
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology & Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chantelle Lim
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology & Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Dengrong Jiang
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology & Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anja Soldan
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Corinne Pettigrew
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kumiko Oishi
- Center for Imaging Science, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yuxin Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Abhay Moghekar
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Peiying Liu
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology & Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Marilyn Albert
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hanzhang Lu
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology & Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- F.M. Kirby Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Abstract
Cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) is a major cause of stroke and dementia. This review summarizes recent developments in advanced neuroimaging of cSVD with a focus on clinical and research applications. In the first section, we highlight how advanced structural imaging techniques, including diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), enable improved detection of tissue damage, including characterization of tissue appearing normal on conventional MRI. These techniques enable progression to be monitored and may be useful as surrogate endpoint in clinical trials. Quantitative MRI, including iron and myelin imaging, provides insights into tissue composition on the molecular level. In the second section, we cover how advanced MRI techniques can demonstrate functional or dynamic abnormalities of the blood vessels, which could be targeted in mechanistic research and early-stage intervention trials. Such techniques include the use of dynamic contrast enhanced MRI to measure blood-brain barrier permeability, and MRI methods to assess cerebrovascular reactivity. In the third section, we discuss how the increased spatial resolution provided by ultrahigh field MRI at 7 T allows imaging of perforating arteries, and flow velocity and pulsatility within them. The advanced MRI techniques we describe are providing novel pathophysiological insights in cSVD and allow improved quantification of disease burden and progression. They have application in clinical trials, both in assessing novel therapeutic mechanisms, and as a sensitive endpoint to assess efficacy of interventions on parenchymal tissue damage. We also discuss challenges of these advanced techniques and suggest future directions for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilde van den Brink
- Department of Neurology and
Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University,
Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fergus N Doubal
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, UK
Dementia Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marco Duering
- Medical Image Analysis Center (MIAC AG)
and qbig, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel,
Switzerland,Marco Duering, Medical Image Analysis
Center (MIAC AG) and qbig, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Basel, Marktgasse 8, Basel, CH-4051, Switzerland.
; @MarcoDuering
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8
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Bauer CE, Zachariou V, Maillard P, Caprihan A, Gold BT. Multi-compartment diffusion magnetic resonance imaging models link tract-related characteristics with working memory performance in healthy older adults. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:995425. [PMID: 36275003 PMCID: PMC9581239 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.995425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-compartment diffusion MRI metrics [such as metrics from free water elimination diffusion tensor imaging (FWE-DTI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI)] may reflect more specific underlying white-matter tract characteristics than traditional, single-compartment metrics [i.e., metrics from Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)]. However, it remains unclear if multi-compartment metrics are more closely associated with age and/or cognitive performance than single-compartment metrics. Here we compared the associations of single-compartment [Fractional Anisotropy (FA)] and multi-compartment diffusion MRI metrics [FWE-DTI metrics: Free Water Eliminated Fractional Anisotropy (FWE-FA) and Free Water (FW); NODDI metrics: Intracellular Volume Fraction (ICVF), Orientation Dispersion Index (ODI), and CSF-Fraction] with both age and working memory performance. A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) guided, white matter tractography approach was employed to compute diffusion metrics within a network of tracts connecting functional regions involved in working memory. Ninety-nine healthy older adults (aged 60-85) performed an in-scanner working memory task while fMRI was performed and also underwent multi-shell diffusion acquisition. The network of white matter tracts connecting functionally-activated regions was identified using probabilistic tractography. Diffusion metrics were extracted from skeletonized white matter tracts connecting fMRI activation peaks. Diffusion metrics derived from both single and multi-compartment models were associated with age (p s ≤ 0.011 for FA, FWE-FA, ICVF and ODI). However, only multi-compartment metrics, specifically FWE-FA (p = 0.045) and ICVF (p = 0.020), were associated with working memory performance. Our results suggest that while most current diffusion metrics are sensitive to age, several multi-compartment metrics (i.e., FWE-FA and ICVF) appear more sensitive to cognitive performance in healthy older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher E. Bauer
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Valentinos Zachariou
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Pauline Maillard
- Department of Neurology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | | | - Brian T. Gold
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, Lexington, KY, United States
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Adamo D, Canfora F, Calabria E, Coppola N, Leuci S, Pecoraro G, Cuocolo R, Ugga L, D’Aniello L, Aria M, Mignogna MD. White matter hyperintensities in Burning Mouth Syndrome assessed according to the Age-Related White Matter Changes scale. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:923720. [PMID: 36118686 PMCID: PMC9475000 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.923720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) of the brain are observed in normal aging, in various subtypes of dementia and in chronic pain, playing a crucial role in pain processing. The aim of the study has been to assess the WMHs in Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) patients by means of the Age-Related White Matter Changes scale (ARWMCs) and to analyze their predictors. Methods One hundred BMS patients were prospectively recruited and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Their ARWMCs scores were compared with those of an equal number of healthy subjects matched for age and sex. Intensity and quality of pain, psychological profile, and blood biomarkers of BMS patients were further investigated to find potential predictors of WMHs. Specifically, the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), Hamilton rating scale for Depression and Anxiety (HAM-D and HAM-A), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were administered. Results The BMS patients presented statistically significant higher scores on the ARWMCs compared to the controls, especially in the right frontal, left frontal, right parietal-occipital, left parietal-occipital, right temporal and left temporal lobes (p-values: <0.001, <0.001, 0.005, 0.002, 0.009, 0.002, and <0.001, respectively). Age, a lower educational level, unemployment, essential hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia were correlated to a higher total score on the ARWMCs (p-values: <0.001, 0.016, 0.014, 0.001, and 0.039, respectively). No correlation was found with the blood biomarkers, NRS, SF-MPQ, HAM-A, HAM-D, PSQI, and ESS. Conclusion Patients with BMS showed a higher frequency of WMHs of the brain as suggested by the higher ARWCs scores compared with the normal aging of the healthy subjects. These findings could have a role in the pathophysiology of the disease and potentially affect and enhance pain perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Adamo
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Canfora
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Calabria
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Elena Calabria,
| | - Noemi Coppola
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Leuci
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pecoraro
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Renato Cuocolo
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Ugga
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca D’Aniello
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Aria
- Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Michele D. Mignogna
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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10
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Paschoal AM, Secchinatto KF, da Silva PHR, Zotin MCZ, Dos Santos AC, Viswanathan A, Pontes-Neto OM, Leoni RF. Contrast-agent-free state-of-the-art MRI on cerebral small vessel disease-part 1. ASL, IVIM, and CVR. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2022; 35:e4742. [PMID: 35429194 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD), a common cause of stroke and dementia, is traditionally considered the small vessel equivalent of large artery occlusion or rupture that leads to cortical and subcortical brain damage. Microvessel endothelial dysfunction can also contribute to it. Brain imaging, including MRI, is useful to show the presence of lesions of several types, although the association between conventional MRI measures and clinical features of cSVD is not always concordant. We assessed the additional contribution of contrast-agent-free, state-of-the-art MRI techniques such as arterial spin labeling (ASL), diffusion tensor imaging, functional MRI, and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) applied to cSVD in the existing literature. We performed a review following the PICO Worksheet and Search Strategy, including original papers in English, published between 2000 and 2022. For each MRI method, we extracted information about their contributions, in addition to those established with traditional MRI methods and related information about the origins, pathology, markers, and clinical outcomes in cSVD. This paper presents the first part of the review, which includes 37 studies focusing on ASL, IVIM, and cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) measures. In general, they have shown that, in addition to white matter hyperintensities, alterations in other neuroimaging parameters such as blood flow and CVR also indicate the presence of cSVD. Such quantitative parameters were also related to cSVD risk factors. Therefore, they are promising, noninvasive tools to explore questions that have not yet been clarified about this clinical condition. However, protocol standardization is essential to increase their clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Monteiro Paschoal
- Department of Physics, FFCLRP, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology and Clinical Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Maria Clara Zanon Zotin
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology and Clinical Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- J. Philip Kistler Stroke Research Center, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Antônio Carlos Dos Santos
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology and Clinical Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anand Viswanathan
- J. Philip Kistler Stroke Research Center, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Octavio M Pontes-Neto
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Science, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata Ferranti Leoni
- Department of Physics, FFCLRP, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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11
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da Silva PHR, Paschoal AM, Secchinatto KF, Zotin MCZ, Dos Santos AC, Viswanathan A, Pontes-Neto OM, Leoni RF. Contrast agent-free state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging on cerebral small vessel disease - Part 2: Diffusion tensor imaging and functional magnetic resonance imaging. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2022; 35:e4743. [PMID: 35429070 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) has been widely studied using conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods, although the association between MRI findings and clinical features of cSVD is not always concordant. We assessed the additional contribution of contrast agent-free, state-of-the-art MRI techniques, particularly diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to understand brain damage and structural and functional connectivity impairment related to cSVD. We performed a review following the PICOS worksheet and Search Strategy, including 152 original papers in English, published from 2000 to 2022. For each MRI method, we extracted information about their contributions regarding the origins, pathology, markers, and clinical outcomes in cSVD. In general, DTI studies have shown that changes in mean, radial, and axial diffusivity measures are related to the presence of cSVD. In addition to the classical deficit in executive functions and processing speed, fMRI studies indicate connectivity dysfunctions in other domains, such as sensorimotor, memory, and attention. Neuroimaging metrics have been correlated with the diagnosis, prognosis, and rehabilitation of patients with cSVD. In short, the application of contrast agent-free, state-of-the-art MRI techniques has provided a complete picture of cSVD markers and tools to explore questions that have not yet been clarified about this clinical condition. Longitudinal studies are desirable to look for causal relationships between image biomarkers and clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - André Monteiro Paschoal
- Department of Physics, FFCLRP, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology and Clinical Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Clara Zanon Zotin
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology and Clinical Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- J Philip Kistler Stroke Research Center, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Antônio Carlos Dos Santos
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology and Clinical Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Anand Viswanathan
- J Philip Kistler Stroke Research Center, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Octavio M Pontes-Neto
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Science, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata Ferranti Leoni
- Department of Physics, FFCLRP, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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12
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Boutzoukas EM, O'Shea A, Kraft JN, Hardcastle C, Evangelista ND, Hausman HK, Albizu A, Van Etten EJ, Bharadwaj PK, Smith SG, Song H, Porges EC, Hishaw A, DeKosky ST, Wu SS, Marsiske M, Alexander GE, Cohen R, Woods AJ. Higher white matter hyperintensity load adversely affects pre-post proximal cognitive training performance in healthy older adults. GeroScience 2022; 44:1441-1455. [PMID: 35278154 PMCID: PMC9213634 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-022-00538-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive training has shown promise for improving cognition in older adults. Age-related neuroanatomical changes may affect cognitive training outcomes. White matter hyperintensities are one common brain change in aging reflecting decreased white matter integrity. The current study assessed (1) proximal cognitive training performance following a 3-month randomized control trial and (2) the contribution of baseline whole-brain white matter hyperintensity load, or total lesion volume (TLV), on pre-post proximal training change. Sixty-two healthy older adults were randomized to either adaptive cognitive training or educational training control interventions. Repeated-measures analysis of covariance revealed two-way group × time interactions such that those assigned cognitive training demonstrated greater improvement on proximal composite (total training composite) and sub-composite (processing speed training composite, working memory training composite) measures compared to education training counterparts. Multiple linear regression showed higher baseline TLV associated with lower pre-post change on processing speed training sub-composite (β = -0.19, p = 0.04), but not other composite measures. These findings demonstrate the utility of cognitive training for improving post-intervention proximal performance in older adults. Additionally, pre-post proximal processing speed training change appears to be particularly sensitive to white matter hyperintensity load versus working memory training change. These data suggest that TLV may serve as an important factor for consideration when planning processing speed-based cognitive training interventions for remediation of cognitive decline in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel M Boutzoukas
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Andrew O'Shea
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jessica N Kraft
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Cheshire Hardcastle
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Nicole D Evangelista
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Hanna K Hausman
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Alejandro Albizu
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Emily J Van Etten
- Department of Psychology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Pradyumna K Bharadwaj
- Department of Psychology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Samantha G Smith
- Department of Psychology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Hyun Song
- Department of Psychology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Eric C Porges
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Alex Hishaw
- Department Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Steven T DeKosky
- Department of Neurology and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Samuel S Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Health Professions, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Michael Marsiske
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Gene E Alexander
- Department of Psychology and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Physiological Sciences Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs, and BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona and Arizona Alzheimer's Disease Consortium, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Ronald Cohen
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Adam J Woods
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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13
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Five years of exercise intervention at different intensities and development of white matter hyperintensities in community dwelling older adults, a Generation 100 sub-study. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:596-622. [PMID: 35042832 PMCID: PMC8833118 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We investigated if a five-year supervised exercise intervention with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus control; physical activity according to national guidelines, attenuated the growth of white matter hyperintensities (WMH). We hypothesized that supervised exercise, in particular HIIT, reduced WMH growth. Older adults from the general population participating in the RCT Generation 100 Study were scanned at 3T MRI at baseline (age 70–77), and after 1-, 3- and 5-years. At each follow-up, cardiorespiratory fitness was measured with ergospirometry, and physical activity plus clinical data collected. Manually delineated total WMH, periventricular (PWMH), deep (DWMH), and automated total white matter hypointensity volumes were obtained. No group by time interactions were present in linear mixed model analyses with the different WMH measurements as outcomes. In the combined exercise (MICT&HIIT) group, a significant group by time interaction was uncovered for PWMH volume, with a larger increase in the MICT&HIIT group. Cardiorespiratory fitness at the follow-ups or change in cardiorespiratory fitness over time were not associated with any WMH measure. Contrary to our hypothesis, taking part in MICT or HIIT over a five-year period did not attenuate WMH growth compared to being in a control group following national physical activity guidelines.
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