THE INFLUENCE OF WHITE-MATTER LESIONS ON NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING IN DEMENTED AND NONDEMENTED 85-YEAR-OLDS

White matter lesions on computed tomography of the head were studied i n relation to neuropsychological functioning in subjects from a repres entative sample of non-demented (n = 134) and demented (n = 98) 85-yea r-olds. Non-demented subjects with white matter lesions (n = 46) score d significantly lower in tests of verbal ability (Synonyms), spatial a bility (Block Design, Clock Test), perceptual speed (Identical forms), secondary memory (Thurstone Picture Memory), basic arithmetic (Coin T est) and the global cognitive screening test Mini-Mental State Examina tion than non-demented subjects without white matter lesions (n = 88). Demented subjects with white matter lesions (n = 67) scored significa ntly lower in tests of spatial ability (Block Design and Clock Test) a nd secondary memory (free recall in the MIR memory test, Ten-word memo ry test I and II) and in the Mini-Mental State Examination than dement ed subjects without white matter lesions (n = 31). It is concluded tha t white matter lesions contribute to cognitive decline in both non-dem ented and demented elderly subjects.