Executive function and magnetic resonance imaging subcortical hyperintensities in vascular dementia

D J Moser; R A Cohen; R H Paul; J S Paulsen; B R Ott; N M Gordon; S Bell; W M Stone

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Journal article

Executive function and magnetic resonance imaging subcortical hyperintensities in vascular dementia

D J Moser, R A Cohen, R H Paul, J S Paulsen, B R Ott, N M Gordon, S Bell and W M Stone

Neuropsychiatry, neuropsychology, and behavioral neurology, Vol.14(2), pp.89-92

04/2001

PMID: 11417671

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Abstract

To determine the relation between subcortical hyperintensities (SHs) visible on magnetic resonance imaging and executive function among patients with vascular dementia. The relation between SHs and executive dysfunction is not well understood, because studies have varied widely in methodology and have produced conflicting results. We examined the relation between SHs (expressed as a percentage of total brain volume, not including ventricular volume) and six tests of executive function in a well-defined group of 24 individuals with vascular dementia. Executive tests were divided in two groups: Attention/Speed and Abstraction/Problem Solving. Bivariate correlations were computed between individual neuropsychological variables and SHs. Results showed significant bivariate correlations between SHs and three of the four tests in the Attention/Speed domain. Subcortical hyperintensities shared virtually no association with performance on tests in the Abstraction/Problem-Solving domain. The finding that SHs are significantly associated with psychomotor slowing and attentional dysfunction is consistent with what is known about the behavioral manifestations of subcortical disease. More detailed investigations of the regional distribution of SHs as well as measures of atrophy, hypoperfusion, and hypometabolism may be necessary to accurately characterize the complex relation between vascular disease and different aspects of executive dysfunction.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Severity of Illness Index

Dementia, Vascular - complications

Humans

Male

Psychomotor Disorders - etiology

Neuropsychological Tests

Attention - physiology

Cognition Disorders - diagnosis

Cognition Disorders - etiology

Psychomotor Disorders - diagnosis

Brain - pathology

Dementia, Vascular - pathology

Female

Aged

Details

Title: Subtitle: Executive function and magnetic resonance imaging subcortical hyperintensities in vascular dementia
Creators: D J Moser - Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City 52240, USA. david-moser@uiowa.edu
R A Cohen
R H Paul
J S Paulsen
B R Ott
N M Gordon
S Bell
W M Stone
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Neuropsychiatry, neuropsychology, and behavioral neurology, Vol.14(2), pp.89-92
Publisher: United States
PMID: 11417671
ISSN: 0894-878X
eISSN: 1537-0887
Grant note: R01 AG017975 / NIA NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 04/2001
Academic Unit: Psychiatry; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Medicine Administration
Record Identifier: 9984003959502771

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