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Lewy bodies and neuronal loss in subcortical areas and disability in non-demented older people: A population based neuropathological cohort study

Byford, M.; Brayne, C.; McKeith, I.; Chatfield, M.; Ince, Pg; Matthews, Fe

Authors

M. Byford

C. Brayne

I. McKeith

M. Chatfield

Pg Ince



Abstract

Background. Functional disability, the loss of ability to carry out daily tasks unaided, is a major adverse outcome more common with increasing age. The potential contribution of neuropathological changes in subcortical areas of the brain associated with normal ageing may be a contributing factor to this loss of function. This study investigates the clinicopathological relationship between functional ability during life and pathological correlates identified at post mortem in an UK population of older people (66102 years). The aim is to examine the clinicopathological correlates of functional disability in subcortical neuronal populations of non-demented elderly individuals. Methods. 156 non-demented participants in the brain donation programme of the Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study (MRC-CFAS) were included in this study. Neuropathological examination was based on the CERAD protocol; pathologies of interest were amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, Lewy bodies, vascular disease and neuronal loss. Self-reported functional ability was scored according to a combined activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living scale. Results. Functional disability was equally common in men and women over 65 years, and in both sexes disability was more common at older ages. Neuronal loss in several subcortical regions elevated the risk of functional disability by three-fold (95% CI 1.36.6). There was evidence for a relationship between Lewy bodies in the SN and functional disability. Conclusion. Neuronal loss in subcortical regions is associated with functional disability in the older population. The causal relationships are not defined and require further investigation. © 2009 Byford et al.

Citation

Byford, M., Brayne, C., McKeith, I., Chatfield, M., Ince, P., & Matthews, F. (2009). Lewy bodies and neuronal loss in subcortical areas and disability in non-demented older people: A population based neuropathological cohort study. BMC Geriatrics, 9(1), https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2318-9-22

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Aug 10, 2009
Deposit Date Dec 8, 2023
Journal BMC Geriatrics
Print ISSN 1471-2318
Electronic ISSN 1471-2318
Publisher Springer Verlag
Volume 9
Issue 1
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2318-9-22
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4455142