# Cerebral Small Vessels in Motor and Cognitive Decline: Neuroimaging Signatures of Vulnerability & Resilience

> **NIH NIH R01** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $714,885

## Abstract

SUMMARY
White matter hyperintensities (WMH), which are increasingly more prevalent on brain MRIs, are significantly
associated with vascular risk factors and linked to age-related mobility and cognitive impairment. However, not
everyone with WMH is equally afflicted and some older individuals are able to maintain their mobility and
cognition despite a significant burden of WMH on their brain MRI. We do not know what specific attributes of
these individuals contribute to their resilience. Identifying which specific factors are associated with cognitive
vulnerability and/or resilience in the presence of WMH is critical for favorably impacting the trajectory of brain
health in our aging population, especially among health disparity populations. Over the past 5 years we have
been able to identify neuroimaging features associated with vascular risk factors, gait and cognition in midlife.
Building on these findings, we now propose to continue our line of inquiry and identify the neuroimaging
features associated with gait and cognitive performance in mid- to late-life individuals with WMH, with a
specific focus on African Americans and women, both of whom are at a high risk for developing WMH, gait and
cognitive impairment, but have often been under-represented in such studies. In Aim1, we will characterize the
diffusion properties of the normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and resting brain functional network
connections in mid- to late-life individuals who have WMH. These are the neuroimaging features that we have
already identified in our midlife cohort study. In Aim 2 we will determine how changes in diffusion properties of
NAWM and resting brain function network connections change in relation to gait and cognition in mid- to late
life individuals with WMH. Aim3 is an exploratory aim to identify other attributes associated with maintaining
gait and cognitive performance in mid- to late-life individuals who display WMH on brain MRI. Findings from
the proposed work, will serve two overarching objectives. First, identified neuroimaging features that associate
with gait and cognitive performance in individuals with WMH will help guide treatment decisions and allocation
of appropriate individuals with WMH for future clinical trials. Second, identified neuroimaging features that
associated with gait and cognitive vulnerability &/ or resilience in the presence of WMH will reveal underlying
mechanisms and facilitate the future possibility of therapeutic development targeted at mitigating progression
to impaired mobility and dementia and expression of Alzheimer’s Disease and related Dementias (ADRD) in at-
risk individuals.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10694448
- **Project number:** 4R01NS085002-07
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** FARZANEH A SOROND
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $714,885
- **Award type:** 4N
- **Project period:** 2014-06-01 → 2027-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10694448

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10694448, Cerebral Small Vessels in Motor and Cognitive Decline: Neuroimaging Signatures of Vulnerability & Resilience (4R01NS085002-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10694448. Licensed CC0.

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