Neuroimaging differences between older adults with maintained versus declining cognition over a 10-year period

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Maintaining cognitive function protects older adults from developing functional decline. This study aims to identify the neuroimaging correlates of maintenance of higher global cognition as measured by the Modified Mini Mental State Test (3 MS) score. METHODS: Repeated 3 MS measures from 1997-98 through 2006-07 and magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion tensor in 2006-07 were obtained in a biracial cohort of 258 adults free from dementia (mean age 82.9 years, 56% women, 42% blacks). Participants were classified as having shown either maintenance (3 MS slope>0) or decline (3 MS slope<1 SD below the mean) of cognition using linear mixed models. Measures of interest were white ma..