White Matter Hyperintensities and Subclinical Infarction Associations With Psychomotor Speed and Cognitive Flexibility

Background and Purpose— We examined white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV) and subclinical infarction (no history of clinical stroke; SI) in relation to performance on tests of sequencing, cognitive flexibility, and sensorimotor ability. Methods— The Northern Manhattan Study includes a stroke-free community-based sample of Hispanic, Black, and White participants. A subsample (n=656) has undergone measurement of WMHV, SI, and neuropsychological testing. Linear regression was used to examine WMHV and SI in relation to performance on tests of sequencing as measured by Color Trails 1, cognitive flexibility as measured by Color Trails 2, and sensorimotor ability as measured by Grooved Pegboard, using generalized estimating equations (GEE) to account for the correlation among the cognitive tests and other covariates. Results— Considering performance on the tests of sequencing, cognitive flexibility, and sensorimotor ability simultaneously using GEE, WMHV and subclinical infarction were each associated with w...