Linking Myelin Integrity to Longitudinal Cognitive Processing Speed Decline in Normative Aging

Motivation: This study probes the specific impact of white matter myelin integrity on processing speed in the aging brain, responding to the need for deeper insights into cognitive decline mechanisms. Goal(s): Our primary objective is to elucidate the relationship between myelin integrity and longitudinal changes in processing speed. Approach: Utilizing quantitative MRI, we performed a retrospective longitudinal analysis correlating myelin water fraction (MWF) values with processing speed measurements. Results: Significant correlations were found between decreased myelin integrity and faster decline in processing speed over the study period, affirming myelin integrity as a key factor in cognitive aging. Impact: This research spotlights the pivotal role of myelin integrity in cognitive aging, potentially shifting existing neuroprotective strategies. Clinicians may now consider myelin preservation in cognitive health assessments, while researchers explore myelin restoration as a viable intervention for age-related cognitive decline.