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. 2019 Feb;18(1):e12857.
doi: 10.1111/acel.12857. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Asymmetrical subcortical plasticity entails cognitive progression in older individuals

Madalena Esteves  1   2   3 , Pedro S Moreira  1   2   3 , Paulo Marques  1   2   3 , Teresa C Castanho  1   2   3 , Ricardo Magalhães  1   2   3 , Liliana Amorim  1   2   3 , Carlos Portugal-Nunes  1   2   3 , José M Soares  1   2   3 , Ana Coelho  1   2   3 , Armando Almeida  1   2   3 , Nadine C Santos  1   2   3 , Nuno Sousa  1   2   3 , Hugo Leite-Almeida  1   2   3
Affiliations

Asymmetrical subcortical plasticity entails cognitive progression in older individuals

Madalena Esteves et al. Aging Cell. 2019 Feb.

Abstract

Structural brain asymmetries have been associated with cognition. However, it is not known to what extent neuropsychological parameters and structural laterality covary with aging. Seventy-five subjects drawn from a larger normal aging cohort were evaluated in terms of MRI and neuropsychological parameters at two moments (M1 and M2), 18 months apart. In this time frame, asymmetry as measured by structural laterality index (ΔLI) was stable regarding both direction and magnitude in all areas. However, a significantly higher dispersion for this variation was observed in subcortical over cortical areas. Subjects with extreme increase in rightward lateralization of the caudate revealed increased M1 to M2 Stroop interference scores, but also a worsening of general cognition (MMSE). In contrast, subjects showing extreme increase in leftward lateralization of the thalamus presented higher increase in Stroop interference scores. In conclusion, while a decline in cognitive function was observed in the entire sample, regional brain asymmetries were relatively stable. Neuropsychological trajectories were associated with laterality changes in subcortical regions.

Keywords: MMSE; MRI; Stroop; aging; cognition; structural laterality.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Average structural laterality at M1 and M2. Structural laterality of cortical gray matter (a) and subcortical (b) areas at M1 and M2. Bar graphs show mean and standard error of the mean (SEM) and are organized from highest to lowest LI at M1. Positive and negative values represent left and rightward laterality, respectively, and are represented on the left and right side of the graphs. L, left; R, right; LI, laterality index; M1, moment 1; M2, moment 2
Figure 2
Figure 2
Individual values of structural laterality variation. Individual values of ΔLI for cortical gray matter (a) and subcortical (b) areas. Dots represent individual values, and lines represent mean and interquartile range. Areas are organized from highest to lowest dispersion. Positive and negative values represent left and rightward evolution, respectively, and are represented on the left and right side of the graphs. L, left; R, right; ΔLI, variation of laterality index
Figure 3
Figure 3
Graphical representation of left and right variation influence for ΔLI. Representative graph of similar left and right subcortical volume variation in the right and left categories. Individual dots represent average absolute variation of left and right area volume in the extreme (right and left) categories. Full line represents the linear regression for these values, and dotted line represents perfect │ΔL│ − │ΔR│ correlation (slope = 1). Green and yellow areas represent, respectively, areas of higher │ΔL│ or │ΔR│. │ΔL│ = absolute value of M1 to M2 left area volume variation, │ΔR│ = absolute value of M1 to M2 right area volume variation
Figure 4
Figure 4
Graphical representation of the neuropsychological M1 to M2 variation influence in subcortical ΔLI. The graphs depict OR and 95% CI of (a) Stroop's Golden Index, (b) Stroop's Chafetz Index, and (c) MMSE M1 to M2 variation's influence on ΔLI categorization for each subcortical area. OR higher and lower than 1 represent leftward and rightward evolution of ΔLI and are, respectively, represented on the left and right side of the graphs. Increased Stroop (Golden or Chafetz indices) and MMSE scores means lower Stroop interference effect and higher general cognition, respectively. Regressions are controlled for total gray matter change as a proxy for aging. L, left; R, right; OR, odds ratio; MMSE, Mini‐Mental State Examination; CI, confidence interval
Figure 5
Figure 5
Graphical representation of the neuropsychological M1 to M2 variation influence in subcortical left and right volume changes. The graphs depict OR and 95% CI of (a) Stroop's Golden Index, (b) Stroop's Chafetz Index, and (c) MMSE M1 to M2 variation's influence on volume categorization for each subcortical area, that is, decrease, maintenance, or increase in volume. Increased Stroop (Golden or Chafetz indices) and MMSE scores means lower Stroop interference effect and higher general cognition, respectively. Associations with left and right volume variations are depicted in black and red, respectively. Regressions are controlled for total gray matter change as a proxy for aging. OR, odds ratio; MMSE, Mini‐Mental State Examination; CI, confidence interval
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