Scheltens rating scores of white matter are predictive of language function among older adults with dementia

Abstract

Objective: Examine the correlation between a visual rating of white matter integrity and common measures of language function in older adults from the Cache County Memory Study (CCMS) legacy data.

Methods: Scheltens Ratings scores of white matter were calculated on MRI data of older adults from the CCMS cohort. A total score was used as a marker of overall white matter burden. This was used as a predictor variable of language function in a sample of 22 controls and 393 with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias (ADRD). This included both pair-wise correlations and bivariate linear regression analysis. A post-hoc t-test analysis compared the upper and lower quartiles of the Scheltens Total for performance on language function tests.

Results: There were no meaningful associations between white matter integrity and language function for control participants. For the ADRD group, there were significant but small correlations. The post-hoc analysis suggested that greater white matter burden is associated with lower language function in those with ADRD.

Conclusion: The findings provide continued support for the clinical utility of visual ratings in the assessment of cognitive function among older adults with dementia - white matter burden relates to greater impairments in performance on language test findings.

Keywords: Aging; Cache County; Scheltens Rating Scale; dementia; hyperintensity; language function.