TY - JOUR
T1 - White matter hyperintensities and working memory: an explorative study
AU - Oosterman, J.M.
AU - van Harten, B.
AU - Weinstein, H.C.
AU - Scheltens, P.
AU - Sergeant, J.A.
AU - Scherder, E.J.A.
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are commonly observed in elderly people and may have the most profound effect on executive functions, including working memory. Surprisingly, the Digit Span backward, a frequently employed working memory task, reveals no association with WMH. In the present study, it was investigated whether more detailed analyses of WMH variables and study sample selection are important when establishing a possible relationship between the Digit Span backward and WMH. To accomplish this, the Digit Span backward and additional working memory tests, WMH subscores, and cardiovascular risk factors were examined. The results revealed that performance on the Digit Span backward test is unrelated to WMH, whereas a relationship between other working memory tests and WMH was confirmed. Furthermore, a division between several white matter regions seems important; hyperintensities in the frontal deep white matter regions were the strongest predictor of working memory performance. © 2008 Psychology Press.
AB - White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are commonly observed in elderly people and may have the most profound effect on executive functions, including working memory. Surprisingly, the Digit Span backward, a frequently employed working memory task, reveals no association with WMH. In the present study, it was investigated whether more detailed analyses of WMH variables and study sample selection are important when establishing a possible relationship between the Digit Span backward and WMH. To accomplish this, the Digit Span backward and additional working memory tests, WMH subscores, and cardiovascular risk factors were examined. The results revealed that performance on the Digit Span backward test is unrelated to WMH, whereas a relationship between other working memory tests and WMH was confirmed. Furthermore, a division between several white matter regions seems important; hyperintensities in the frontal deep white matter regions were the strongest predictor of working memory performance. © 2008 Psychology Press.
U2 - 10.1080/13825580701879998
DO - 10.1080/13825580701879998
M3 - Article
SN - 1382-5585
VL - 15
SP - 384
EP - 399
JO - Neuropsychology, Development and Cognition. Section B: Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition
JF - Neuropsychology, Development and Cognition. Section B: Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition
IS - 3
ER -