Lenticulostriate arteries in aging process: an angiographic study

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Vascular Anatomy
• Gerontology

Background:

• Histological studies on aging small arteries show controversial results regarding lumen narrowing.
• Lenticulostriate arteries are crucial for brain blood supply, but their aging process is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the anatomical and angiographic parameters of medial and lateral lenticulostriate arteries in relation to aging.
• To investigate age-related changes in lenticulostriate artery lumen diameter and morphology.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 64 carotid angiograms.
• Measurement of anatomical and angiographic parameters of medial and lateral lenticulostriate arteries.
• Statistical comparison of parameters with patient age.

Main Results:

• Only 20% of lenticulostriate arteries were visualized angiographically.
• Collateral branches were rarely visible, particularly in the medial group.
• No significant differences in measured parameters (including lumen diameter) were found concerning age (p > 0.05).
• Lenticulostriate arteries typically exhibited a straight or moderately tortuous course.

Conclusions:

• Age-related changes in lenticulostriate arteries primarily affect the external layers.
• There is no evidence of lumen narrowing or filling defects in these arteries due to aging.
• Angiographic visualization of lenticulostriate arteries and their collaterals is limited.