Age-dependent association of white matter abnormality with cognition after TIA or minor stroke

Description: Previous studies have identified an association between cognitive status and MRI-detectable white matter hyperintensities (WMH), but few have focussed on older age groups. We aimed to establish whether these associations persist in TIA or non-disabling stroke patients aged >80 years in whom MRI markers of white matter damage are highly prevalent. Our results suggest that MRI markers of white matter damage in patients with TIA/minor stroke aged >80 years are unrelated to cognition, and their clinical significance should not be over-interpreted. On the contrary, the presence of WMH in patients ≤80 years should not be overlooked as they are negatively correlated with cognitive performance. Link to full paper: https://n.neurology.org/content/93/3/e272.long

Related article: http://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000007772