Item – Theses Canada

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OCLC number
55744226
Link(s) to full text
LAC copy
LAC copy
Author
Swartz, Richard Howard,1973-
Title
Evaluating the impact of cerebrovascular disease on cognition using quantitative MRI.
Degree
Ph. D. -- University of Toronto, 2002
Publisher
Ottawa : National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, [2003]
Description
2 microfiches.
Notes
Includes bibliographical references.
Abstract
Brain atrophy and cerebrovascular disease are associated with cognitive dysfunction, increase in frequency with age and commonly co-occur. However, the relationships between these pathologies and their independent contributions to cognitive function remain unclear. This study quantified brain atrophy and multiple expressions of cerebrovascular disease in 205 individuals, including 34 normal elderly controls, 30 with cognitive impairment and 141 with dementia. Correlations between brain measures were identified and factor analysis was used to generate independent variables that could be used in multiple linear regression models of brain-behavior relationships. The results confirm and extend previous findings suggesting that brain atrophy is the strongest correlate of cognitive impairment. Atrophy was the only relevant factor in those under age 65. Diffuse and strategically located cerebrovascular disease contributed independently to cognitive status in those over age 65. Both the volume and location of cerebrovascular disease (e.g. anterior-medial thalamus) were important determinants of the effects of cerebrovascular disease on cognition. The concept of strategic location of cerebrovascular disease was extended to subcortical white matter pathways and possible specific effects of hyperintensities in acetylcholinergic white matter pathways were identified. Taken together, these 'in vivo' studies demonstrate that cerebrovascular disease has small but independent effects on cognitive function and provide impetus to study interventions which might slow or halt the development of cerebrovascular disease with age.
ISBN
0612747387
9780612747388