Clinical significance of corpus callosum atrophy in a mixed elderly population

C. Ryberg, E. Rostrup, M. B. Stegmann, F. Barkhof, P. Scheltens, E. C.W. van Straaten, F. Fazekas, R. Schmidt, J. M. Ferro, H. Baezner, T. Erkinjuntti, H. Jokinen, L. O. Wahlund, J. O'Brien, A. M. Basile, L. Pantoni, D. Inzitari, G. Waldemar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

57 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Corpus callosum (CC) is the main tract connecting the hemispheres, but the clinical significance of CC atrophy is poorly understood. The aim of this work was to investigate clinical and functional correlates of CC atrophy in subjects with age-related white matter changes (ARWMC). In 569 elderly subjects with ARWMC from the Leukoaraiosis And DISability (LADIS) study, the CC was segmented on the normalised mid-sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) slice and subdivided into five regions. Correlations between the CC areas and subjective memory complaints, mini mental state examination (MMSE) score, history of depression, geriatric depression scale (GDS) score, subjective gait difficulty, history of falls, walking speed, and total score on the short physical performance battery (SPPB) were analyzed. Significant correlations between CC atrophy and MMSE, SPPB, and walking speed were identified, and the CC areas were smaller in subjects with subjective gait difficulty. The correlations remained significant after correction for ARWMC grade. In conclusion, CC atrophy was independently associated with impaired global cognitive and motor function in subjects with ARWMC.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)955-963
Number of pages9
JournalNeurobiology of aging
Volume28
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2007

Keywords

  • Age-related white matter changes
  • Cognition
  • Corpus callosum
  • Elderly
  • LADIS
  • Leukoaraiosis
  • MRI
  • Motor function

Cite this