UK Biobank Study: Cerebrovascular Risk, White Matter, and Cognitive Speed

A recent UK Biobank study explored the connection between cerebrovascular risk factors, white matter integrity, and cognitive processing speed in middle-aged to older adults. The research revealed that poor cerebrovascular health, indicated by risk factors like hypertension, is associated with slower processing speed. This effect is primarily mediated by changes in the anterior white matter microstructure, particularly in regions like the genu. The study also found that the duration of risk factors, especially hypertension, further exacerbates cognitive slowing. These findings highlight the vulnerability of anterior brain regions to cerebrovascular burden and the importance of considering risk factor duration in assessing cognitive decline.