Abstract: Objective To explore the characteristics of cognitive function in patients with leukoaraiosis(LA)at different extent.Methods The cognitive function of 66 patients with different extent of LA and 49 healthy controls were measured using the MoCA scale,and the relationship between the cognitive function and the extent of LA was evaluated.Results The LA was more severe,the cognitive function of patients was more poor.The cognitive function of patients with type Ⅳ LA significantly decreased than the patients with type Ⅰ LA and the controls,especially in the language,memory,visuoconstructional and executive functions(P<0.05).While the function of naming,attention,abstraction and orientation showed no significant difference between the patients with LA and the controls(P>0.05).Conclusion Moderate and severe LA may cause impairment of cognitive function.

Key words: leukoaraiosis, cognitive function, language, memory, visuoconstruction, executive ability