Dataset Information

Structural network efficiency is associated with cognitive impairment in small-vessel disease.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To characterize brain network connectivity impairment in cerebral small-vessel disease (SVD) and its relationship with MRI disease markers and cognitive impairment.

Methods

A cross-sectional design applied graph-based efficiency analysis to deterministic diffusion tensor tractography data from 115 patients with lacunar infarction and leukoaraiosis and 50 healthy individuals. Structural connectivity was estimated between 90 cortical and subcortical brain regions and efficiency measures of resulting graphs were analyzed. Networks were compared between SVD and control groups, and associations between efficiency measures, conventional MRI disease markers, and cognitive function were tested.

Results

Brain diffusion tensor tractography network connectivity was significantly reduced in SVD: networks were less dense, connection weights were lower, and measures of network efficiency were significantly disrupted. The degree of brain network disruption was associated with MRI measures of disease severity and cognitive function. In multiple regression models controlling for confounding variables, associations with cognition were stronger for network measures than other MRI measures including conventional diffusion tensor imaging measures. A total mediation effect was observed for the association between fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity measures and executive function and processing speed.

Conclusions

Brain network connectivity in SVD is disturbed, this disturbance is related to disease severity, and within a mediation framework fully or partly explains previously observed associations between MRI measures and SVD-related cognitive dysfunction. These cross-sectional results highlight the importance of network disruption in SVD and provide support for network measures as a disease marker in treatment studies.

SUBMITTER: Lawrence AJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4115608 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Structural network efficiency is associated with cognitive impairment in small-vessel disease.

Lawrence Andrew J AJ Chung Ai Wern AW Morris Robin G RG Markus Hugh S HS Barrick Thomas R TR

Neurology 20140620 4

<h4>Objective</h4>To characterize brain network connectivity impairment in cerebral small-vessel disease (SVD) and its relationship with MRI disease markers and cognitive impairment.<h4>Methods</h4>A cross-sectional design applied graph-based efficiency analysis to deterministic diffusion tensor tractography data from 115 patients with lacunar infarction and leukoaraiosis and 50 healthy individuals. Structural connectivity was estimated between 90 cortical and subcortical brain regions and effic ...[more]

PMID: 24951477

Similar Datasets

Project description:ObjectivesIn this cross-sectional study, we aimed to explore the mechanisms of early cognitive impairment in a post stroke non-dementia cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) cohort by comparing the SVD score with the structural brain network measures.Method127 SVD patients were recruited consecutively from a stroke clinic, comprising 76 individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 51 with no cognitive impairment (NCI). Detailed neuropsychological assessments and multimodal MRI were performed. SVD scores were calculated on a standard scale, and structural brain network measures were analyzed by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Between-group differences were analyzed, and logistic regression was applied to determine the predictive value of SVD and network measures for cognitive status. Mediation analysis with structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to better understand the interactions of SVD burden, brain networks and cognitive deficits.ResultsGroup difference was found on all global brain network measures. After adjustment for age, gender, education and depression, significant correlations were found between global brain network measures and diverse neuropsychological tests, including TMT-B (r = -0.209, p < .05), DSST (r = 0.206, p < .05), AVLT short term free recall (r = 0.233, p < .05), AVLT long term free recall (r = 0.264, p < .05) and Rey-O copy (r = 0.272, p < .05). SVD score showed no group difference and was not correlated with cognition tests. Network global efficiency (EGlobal) was significantly related to cognitive state (p < .01) but not the SVD score. Mediation analysis showed that the standardized total effect (p = .013) and the standardized indirect effect (p = .016) of SVD score on cognition was significant, but the direct effect was not.ConclusionsBrain network measures, but not the SVD score, are significantly correlated with cognition in post-stroke SVD patients. Mediation analysis showed that the cerebral vascular lesions produce cognitive dysfunction by interfering with the structural brain network in SVD patients. The brain network measures may be regarded as direct and independent surrogate markers of cognitive impairment in SVD.

Dataset Information

Structural network efficiency is associated with cognitive impairment in small-vessel disease.

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Structural network efficiency is associated with cognitive impairment in small-vessel disease.

Similar Datasets

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