Functional Decline in Elders with Cerebral Age-Related White Matter Changes

These findings add to accumulating evidence that elderly patients with extensive ARWMCs are at a high risk for rapid motor and cognitive decline.

The LADIS (LeukoAraiosis and DISability) Study, a European multicenter collaboration, was designed to assess the role of age-related white matter changes (ARWMCs) as an independent predictor of the transition to disability in initially nondisabled elders (65–84 years). Now, researchers report on the 1-year follow-up of this cohort.

This analysis included 619 patients who had ARWMCs detected on brain MRI at baseline and after 1 year. The authors measured patients’ functional status using the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale. At baseline, 506 of the 619 participants were totally independent, and 113 were impaired in only 1 item of the IADL scale. Decline was defined as transition to 2 or more activities limited on the IADL …

Reviewing Author

Farzaneh A. Sorond, MD, PhD

Functional Decline in Elders with Cerebral Age-Related White Matter Changes

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Reviewing Author