Correlation exploration between executive function and white matter lesions in patients with vascular dementia

Abstract

Objective To explore the correlation between executive function and white matter lesions (WML) and the diagnostic value by clock drawing test(CDT) in patients with vascular dementia (VaD). Methods Twenty-seven VaD patients and twenty-five normal control subjects were evaluated with CDT to assess the executive function. CDT was scored according the four point method. Age-related white matter change rating scale (ARWMCrs) was used qualitatively to measure and locate the WML by cranial MRI scanning. Results 1. The scores of CDT in normal cognition health and VaD were ( 3.88 ± 0. 33 ) and ( 1.74 ± 0. 98 ). The difference between two groups was statistically significant (P＜0. 01 ). The humerous part and the point part were the earliest to decline in the VaD Patients. The scores of WML were (5.12 ± 4. 19) and ( 11.19± 3.09), respectively. There was significant difference between two groups(P ＜ 0. 01 ). The scores of CDT had significant positive correlation with MMSE scores and negative correlation with WML scores (P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion The executive functional impairment in patients with VaD could be associated with the degree of WML. Key words: Vascular dementia; Clock drawing test; Executive function; White matter lesions; Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)