White matter and its relationship with cognition in subjective cognitive decline

Abstract

Introduction

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is the earliest stage on the continuum toward Alzheimer's disease. This study examined (1) differences in white matter integrity between individuals with SCD and healthy control subjects and (2) how white matter integrity related to memory and executive function.

Methods

Diffusion tensor imaging and neuropsychological assessment data were retrieved from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database for 30 individuals with SCD and 44 control subjects.

Results

Results revealed significantly lower white matter integrity in individuals with SCD relative to control subjects in widespread regions, including the bilateral corticospinal tracts, superior and inferior longitudinal fasciculi, fronto-occipital fasciculi, corpus callosum, forceps major and minor, hippocampi, anterior thalamic radiations, and the cerebellum. There was a widespread relationship between diffusion tensor imaging metrics and executive function in SCD, but not healthy control subjects, and no relationship with memory for either group.

Discussion

Relatively lower white matter integrity in SCD may be a useful early biomarker for risk of future cognitive decline. Future research should better characterize the SCD group longitudinally and in individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease.

Highlights

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  Individuals with SCD had lower FA and higher MD relative to healthy controls.

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  Lower FA and higher mean MD were related to lower executive function in SCD only.

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  White matter integrity was unrelated to memory in SCD and healthy control subjects.

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  DTI metrics may be a sensitive biomarker for early Alzheimer's disease.