Association between subcortical volume changes and longitudinal cognitive measures in older adults

Abstract

This study investigates the association between longitudinal cognitive measures and volumetric changes of subcortical volumes in healthy older adults using UK Biobank data. We identify subgroups of volumetric change in subcortical regions using structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (sMRI) and explore whether changes in cognitive performance over time correlate with these volumetric alterations. Analysis of longitudinal cognitive assessments and repeated sMRI scans revealed significant differences in Trail Making Test (TMT-A) and Symbol Digit Substitution (SDS) results between adults exhibiting an increase versus atrophy in subcortical volumes.