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Impact of white matter hyperintensity volume progression on rate of cognitive and motor decline
Silbert LC, Nelson C, Howieson DB, Moore MM, Kaye JA.. Neurology, 2008-07-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Background White matter hyperintensity (WMH) change on brain MRI is observed with increased frequency in the elderly and has been independently associated with neurologic decline. The degree to which the location and rate of volume increase in WMH affects other structural brain changes along with cognitive and motor performance over time may determine subsequent degrees of risk for dementia and other syndromes of aging. Methods One hundred four cognitively intact men and women followed longitudinally for up to 13 years underwent at least three MRIs with corresponding annual cognitive and neurologic assessments. Brain volume, ventricular CSF (vCSF), and total periventricular (PV) and subcortical WMH volumes were measured. Progression of MRI volumes was examined in relation to rates of cognitive, motor, and cerebral volume change based on slopes of outcomes. Results Higher initial total and PV WMH volume was associated with total WMH, PV WMH, and vCSF progression, and with increased time and number of steps to walk 30 feet. Progression of PV WMH volume was associated with increased time to walk 30 feet. Progression of subcortical WMH volume was associated with decreased performance on logical memory testing and increased rate of vCSF volume change. Conclusion Increased total and periventricular (PV) white matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden and progression of PV WMH burden are associated with decreased gait performance over time, while progression of subcortical WMH volume is associated with memory decline in cognitively intact elderly. Greater progression of WMH burden is associated with an increased risk of memory and gait dysfunction, and thus should not be considered a benign process.
Key findings
- Background White matter hyperintensity (WMH) change on brain MRI is observed with increased frequency in the elderly and has been independently associated with neurologic decline.
- Results Higher initial total and PV WMH volume was associated with total WMH, PV WMH, and vCSF progression, and with increased time and number of steps to walk 30 feet.
- Progression of PV WMH volume was associated with increased time to walk 30 feet.
- Progression of subcortical WMH volume was associated with decreased performance on logical memory testing and increased rate of vCSF volume change.
- Conclusion Increased total and periventricular (PV) white matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden and progression of PV WMH burden are associated with decreased gait performance over time, while progression of subcortical WMH volume is associated with memory decline in cognitively intact elderly.
Why it matters
In cognitively intact older adults followed for up to 13 years, higher initial total and periventricular white matter hyperintensity volume was associated with progression of these hyperintensities and with slower walking. Progression of periventricular hyperintensity volume was linked to increased time to walk 30 feet, and progression of subcortical hyperintensity volume was linked to worse logical memory and faster ventricular enlargement.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 49/100
Published in a leading specialty journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 9 / 10 | Tier 2 — leading specialty journal (Neurology) |
| Journal's citation record | 4 / 4 | Neurology: journal h-index 525 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2008 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 263 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 13.2 citations a year over 20 year(s) since 2008 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 8.1× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 2 / 6 | Cited by 8 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 30 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 4 / 4 | Last-listed author Jeffrey Alan Kaye: h-index 122 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Oregon Health & Science University: institution h-index 1,025 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 18606964) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 49 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
- DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000316799.86917.37
- PubMed: 18606964
- Original source →
- Free full text: Neurology →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Silbert, L. C., Nelson, C., Howieson, D. B., Moore, M. M., & Kaye, J. A. (2008). Impact of white matter hyperintensity volume progression on rate of cognitive and motor decline. Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000316799.86917.37
Vancouver
Silbert LC, Nelson C, Howieson DB, Moore MM, Kaye JA. Impact of white matter hyperintensity volume progression on rate of cognitive and motor decline. Neurology. 2008. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000316799.86917.37. PMID: 18606964.
BibTeX
@article{silbert2008-18606964,
author = {Silbert, L. C. and Nelson, C. and Howieson, D. B. and Moore, M. M. and Kaye, J. A.},
title = {{Impact of white matter hyperintensity volume progression on rate of cognitive and motor decline}},
journal = {Neurology},
year = {2008},
doi = {10.1212/01.wnl.0000316799.86917.37},
pmid = {18606964},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000316799.86917.37}
}
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