Neuropathology in the Adult Changes in Thought Study: A Review

Issue title: Mini-Forum: Clinical-Pathologic Correlations in Population- and Community-Based Studies of Brain Aging

Guest editors: Thomas Montine and Joshua Sonnen

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Sonnen, Joshua A.^{a; *} | Larson, Eric B.^b | Haneuse, Sebastien^b | Woltjer, Randy^c | Li, Ge^d | Crane, Paul K.^e | Craft, Suzanne^{d; f} | Montine, Thomas J.^a

Affiliations: [a] Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA | [b] Group Health Center for Health Studies, Group Health Cooperative, Seattle, WA, USA | [c] Department of Pathology, Health Sciences University of Oregon, Portland, OR, USA | [d] Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA | [e] Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA | [f] Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Joshua A. Sonnen, M.D., Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98104-2420, USA. Tel.: +1 206 744 5445; Fax: +1 206 744 8240; E-mail: jsonnen@u.washington.edu.

Abstract: The neuropathology underlying dementia syndromes in older populations is complex. The contributions of Alzheimer's and Lewy body pathology are well appreciated. Recent studies with brain autopsies have highlighted the high prevalence of vascular disease as an independent, but often co-morbid contributor to dementia. The Adult Changes in Thought Study is a community-based, longitudinal study of brain aging and cognitive decline which has recently confirmed cerebral microinfarcts as a strong correlate of cognitive impairment and dementia. This study examines correlations between clinical characteristics including extensive, longitudinal medication histories, and longitudinal cognitive testing against structural and biochemical features of disease.

Keywords: Aging, community-based, microinfarct, longitudinal, neuropathology

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2009-1180

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 703-711, 2009