Impact of white matter hyperintensity volume progression on rate of cognitive and motor decline

Abstract

Increased total and periventricular (PV) white matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden and progression of PV WMH burden are associated with decreased gait performance over time, while progression of subcortical WMH volume is associated with memory decline in cognitively intact elderly. Greater progression of WMH burden is associated with an increased risk of memory and gait dysfunction, and thus should not be considered a benign process.