Empty-nest-related Psychological Distress is Associated with Progression of Brain White Matter Lesions and Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly

Overview

Journal Sci Rep

Specialty Science

Date 2017 Mar 4

PMID 28256594

Citations 16

Authors

Dandan Duan

Yuanli Dong

Hua Zhang

Yingxin Zhao

Yutao Diao

Yi Cui

Juan Wang

Qiang Chai

Zhendong Liu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This study evaluated the association between empty-nest-related psychological distress and the progression of white matter lesions (WMLs) and cognitive impairment in 219 elderly subjects aged 60 years or over. Psychological distress was assessed using the University of California at Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) Short-Form. Cognitive function was evaluated using the MMSE and MoCA. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging. After 5.2-year follow-up, the reductions in MMSE and MoCA scores and the increases in periventricular (P)WMH, deep (D)WMH, and total WMH volumes in the empty-nest elderly were greater than those in the non-empty-nest elderly (P < 0.05). The reduced MMSE and MoCA scores and increased volumes of PWMH and total WMH in the empty-nest elderly living alone were greater than those in the empty-nest elderly living with a spouse (P < 0.05). UCLA-LS and GDS scores were significantly and independently associated with reduced MMSE and MoCA scores and the increased volumes of PWMH, DWMH, and total WMH. The results indicate that empty-nest-related psychological distress is associated with progression of WMLs and cognitive impairment in the elderly.

Citing Articles

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