Abstract

White matter hyperintensity (WMH) shape is associated with long-term dementia risk in community-dwelling older adults, however, the underlying structural correlates of this association are unknown. We therefore aimed to investigate the association between baseline WMH shape and cerebrovascular disease progression over time in community-dwelling older adults. The association of WMH shape and cerebrovascular disease markers was investigated using linear and logistic regression models in the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik (AGES) study (n = 2297; average time to follow-up: 5.2 years). A more irregular shape of periventricular/confluent WMH at baseline was associated with a larger increase in WMH volume, and with occurrence of new subcortical infarcts, new microbleeds, new enlarged perivascular spaces, and new cerebellar infarcts at the 5.2-year follow-up (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, less elongated and more irregularly shaped deep WMHs were associated with a larger increase in WMH volume, and new cortical infarcts at follow-up (p < 0.05). A less elongated shape of deep WMH was associated with new microbleeds at follow-up (p < 0.05). Our findings show that WMH shape may be indicative of the type of cerebrovascular disease marker progression. This underlines the significance of WMH shape to aid in the assessment of cerebrovascular disease progression.

Overview publication

TitleWhite matter hyperintensity shape is related to long-term progression of cerebrovascular disease in community-dwelling older adults.
DateAugust 7th, 2024
Issue nameJournal of cerebral blood flow and metabolism : official journal of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism
Issue number:271678X241270538
DOI10.1177/0271678X241270538
PubMed39113409
AuthorsKuhn-Keller JA, Sigurdsson S, Launer LJ, van Buchem MA, van Osch MJ, Gudnason V & de Bresser J
KeywordsCerebral small vessel disease, cerebrovascular disease, magnetic resonance imaging, vascular cognitive impairment, white matter hyperintensities
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