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The cognitive correlates of white matter abnormalities in normal aging: a quantitative review
Gunning-Dixon FM, Raz N.. Neuropsychology, 2000-04-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Cerebral white matter of asymptomatic people frequently exhibits circumscribed areas of hyperintensity on magnetic resonance (MR) images and hypodensity on computed tomography scans. However, behavioral implications of this phenomenon remain unclear. In this meta-analysis, the authors examine cumulative evidence regarding the cognitive sequelae of white matter abnormalities in adults without dementia. The influence of potential moderator variables, such as neuroimaging technique, location of the lesions, rating scale, and demographic characteristics of the sample on the association between the burden of white matter hyperintensities and cognitive performance was also examined. Results indicate that white matter abnormalities observed on MR images are associated with attenuated performance on tasks of processing speed, immediate and delayed memory, executive functions, and indices of global cognitive functioning. There was no significant link between the white matter hyperintensities and psychometric indices of intelligence or fine motor performance.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Gunning-Dixon, F. M., & Raz, N. (2000). The cognitive correlates of white matter abnormalities in normal aging: a quantitative review. Neuropsychology. https://doi.org/10.1037//0894-4105.14.2.224
Vancouver
Gunning-Dixon FM, Raz N. The cognitive correlates of white matter abnormalities in normal aging: a quantitative review. Neuropsychology. 2000. doi:10.1037//0894-4105.14.2.224. PMID: 10791862.
BibTeX
@article{gunningdixon2000-10791862,
author = {Gunning-Dixon, F. M. and Raz, N.},
title = {{The cognitive correlates of white matter abnormalities in normal aging: a quantitative review}},
journal = {Neuropsychology},
year = {2000},
doi = {10.1037//0894-4105.14.2.224},
pmid = {10791862},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1037//0894-4105.14.2.224}
}
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Key findings
- Results indicate that white matter abnormalities observed on MR images are associated with attenuated performance on tasks of processing speed, immediate and delayed memory, executive functions, and indices of global cognitive functioning.
- There was no significant link between the white matter hyperintensities and psychometric indices of intelligence or fine motor performance.
Why it matters
This meta-analysis found that white matter abnormalities on MRI in adults without dementia were associated with weaker performance on processing speed, immediate and delayed memory, executive functions and global cognitive functioning, with no significant link to intelligence or fine motor performance. It describes cognitive correlates of these brain changes and reports no treatment, cure or prevention.
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Study details
- Study designmeta-analysis
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 61/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a meta-analysis pooling many studies. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported and studied in people because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Neuropsychology) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Neuropsychology: journal h-index 183 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A meta-analysis pooling many studies |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2000 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| 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 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 6 / 7 | Cited 654 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 23.4 citations a year over 28 year(s) since 2000 |
| 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 | 3 / 6 | Cited by 13 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 35 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Naftali Raz: h-index 80 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | University of Memphis: institution h-index 400 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 10791862) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 61 / 100 | — |
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