Cortical Thickness and White Matter Hyperintensity Changes Are Associated With Sarcopenia in the Cognitively Normal Older Adults

Objective We aimed to explore the impact of sarcopenia on the cortical thickness, white matter hyperintensity (WMH), and subcortical volumes in the cognitively normal older adults. Methods Sixty cognitively normal older adults with and without sarcopenia were enrolled in the study. They underwent T1 and FLAIR magnetic resonance imaging. Information on muscle mass, muscle strength and muscle function were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis, handgrip strength and 5 time-chair stand test (CST) respectively. Structural magnetic resonance images were analyzed and processed using Freesurfer v6.0. Results Compared to the control group, the sarcopenia group demonstrated reduced cortical thickness in left superior frontal, precentral, right post central, inferior parietal, rostral middle frontal superior parietal and both lateral occipital and paracentral gyrus. Volumes of left hippocampus, and periventricular WMH were also reduced in the Sarcopenia group. In addition, we found a significant positive correlation between the left precuneus thickness and muscle mass. Periventricular WMH volumes were also positively correlated with the 5CST score. Conclusion Sarcopenia affects cortical and subcortical structures in the cognitively normal older adults. These structural changes might be associated with underlying neurobiological mechanisms of sarcopenia in the cognitively normal older adults.