Alterations of White Matter Microstructure in Subcortical Vascular Mild Cognitive Impairment with and without Depressive Symptoms

Abstract

Background: Depressive symptoms were thought to increase the risk of vascular dementia. Previous studies reported widespread white matter damages in the subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment (svMCI), but little is known about the mechanism of depressive symptoms in svMCI. Objective: In the current study, we aim to explore the white matter microstructural alterations in svMCI with depressive symptoms, and their associations with clinical measurements. Methods: Fifty-eight subjects including 18 svMCI with depression (svMCI+D), 17 svMCI without depression (svMCI-D), and 23 normal controls (NC) were included in the study. Voxel-based analyses were performed on fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD). Results: Compared to NC, both svMCI groups showed decreased FA in the bilateral insula and the left precentral gyrus, and increased MD in the cerebellum. Compared to svMCI-D, svMCI+D showed increased FA in left precentral gyrus. Moreover, svMCI+D showed significant correlation between the increased MD in the cerebellum and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores. Conclusion: Our findings of white matter alterations might be associated with executive function and memory performance in the svMCI patients. Moreover, the structural alterations in the cerebellum might underlie the mechanism of depressive symptoms in svMCI patients.

Pathomechanisms of Vascular Depression in Older Adults

“…While some could not demonstrate a long-term association between WMH progression and depression [ 176 ], large confluent WMHs were associated with a higher incidence of depression in individuals over age 60 years [ 83 ], with persistent depressive symptoms, poorer executive function, and cognitive impairment [ 20 , 177 , 178 ]. WMHs especially within cortico–subcortical neuronal circuits can be interpreted as sequelae of microstructural dysfunctions affecting major brain connections, indicating an association between CVD and depression [ 179 , 180 ], whereas, according to others, structural alterations in the cerebellum may underlie the mechanisms of depressive symptoms in patients with LLD [ 181 ].…”

Lateralized brain activities in subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment with differential Chinese medicine patterns: A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study

“…All svMCI patients were enrolled from a previous randomized control study ( Zheng et al, 2022b ), whereas healthy participants were enrolled from community residents by advertisements. Complete recruitment details were described in our prior work ( Lyu et al, 2019 ; Wang J. et al, 2020 ; Xu J. et al, 2020 ; Xu Z. et al, 2020 ). Briefly, the diagnosis criteria of svMCI were performed according to Petersen’s criteria ( Petersen, 2004 ).…”

Cerebellum in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases: an emerging research frontier

“…Moreover, another study has identified apoptosis and pyroptosis in the cerebellum in a mouse model of VaD 206 . Imaging studies have suggested that white matter changes in the cerebellum may be linked to executive function and memory performance in patients with subcortical vascular MCI 213 . Furthermore, therapeutic stimulation of the cerebellar fastigial nucleus has shown beneficial effects in VaD treatment 214 .…”

“…206 Imaging studies have suggested that white matter changes in the cerebellum may be linked to executive function and memory performance in patients with subcortical vascular MCI. 213 Furthermore, therapeutic stimulation of the cerebellar fastigial nucleus has shown beneficial effects in VaD treatment. 214 Hence, the cerebellum may play a role in the development of VaD.…”