Cognitive engagement may slow clinical progression and brain atrophy in Huntington’s disease

Abstract

Key points An early cognitively active lifestyle can confer benefits to preserved motor and psychiatric function in addition to cognitive performance in Huntington’s disease. 2) More cognitively active individuals show decreased gray matter volume atrophy (e.g., brain maintenance) in the medial frontal gyrus, supplementary area, and middle cingulate cortex at longitudinal follow-up. 3) Such brain regions may act as neural hubs in circuits that integrate functionally diverse processes spanning cognitive, motor, and psychiatric domains.

Keywords

• Brain maintenance
• Cognitive engagement
• Gray matter volume
• Huntington’s disease
• Longitudinal
• Neurodegeneration