Association of White Matter Hyperintensities, Regional Brain Glucose Metabolism, and Cognitive Impairment in Aβ-Negative Patients

Key Points

• This research aims to explore the relationship between white matter hyperintensities, brain glucose metabolism, and cognitive impairment in patients without Aβ pathology.
• Analyzed the impact of white matter hyperintensities on cognitive functions using imaging techniques.
• Utilized ¹⁸F-FDG PET to assess regional brain glucose metabolism alongside MRI for structural analysis.
• Focused on executive dysfunction and memory impairment as key cognitive outcomes.
• Executive dysfunction was found to be mediated by reduced cortical glucose metabolism due to white matter hyperintensities.
• Memory dysfunction resulted directly from the presence of white matter hyperintensities without the mediation of glucose metabolism.
• The combination of MRI and PET may enhance diagnostic accuracy for vascular cognitive impairment.