Longitudinal change of white matter abnormalities

A three year follow-up of 273 participants (mean age 60+/-6.1 years) of the Austrian Stroke Prevention Study provides first information on the rate, c linical predictors, and cognitive consequences of MRI white matter hyperint ensity in elderly individuals without neuropsychiatric disease. Lesion prog ression was found in a total of 49 (17.9%) individuals. It was minor in 27 (9.9%) and marked in 22 (8.1%) participants. Diastolic blood pressure (odds ratio 1.07/mmHg) and early confluent or confluent white matter hyperintens ities at baseline (odds ratio 2.62) were the only significant predictors of white matter hyperintensity progression. Lesion progression had no influen ce on the course of neuropsychologic test performance over the observationa l period.