Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
[Quantitative analysis of regional cerebral blood flow in elderly with white matter lesions]
Jian-hui Fu1, Jing Yuan, Sheng Li
1Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China. jianhuifu@126.com
Objective:
To observe whether the severity of white matter lesions (WML) is related to ischemia in elderly.
Methods:
WML were divided into 2 categories (centrum semiovale and periventricular regions) and four grades (grade 0, grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3) according to the severity of WML showing on the FLAIR sequence of MRI using modified Fazekas scale. The values of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) within WML and other brain regions were measured using Xenon contrast CT.
Results:
Mean rCBF (ml x 100 g(-1) x min(-1)) within lesions around periventricular areas, in right and left centrum semiovale were 20.8 +/- 2.8, 22.3 +/- 1.9 and 22.2 +/- 2.1 in grade 0; 20.3 +/- 2.5, 21.3 +/- 1.0 and 21.0 +/- 1.8 in grade1; 16.3 +/- 2.0, 15.6 +/- 1.7 and 15.9 +/- 0.9 in grade 2; 14.1 +/- 2.6, 14.5 +/- 2.2 and 14.2 +/- 1.9 in grade 3 respectively. The severity of WML is associated significantly with reduction of rCBF within lesions both in centrum semiovale and periventricular regions (all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in rCBF values between grade 0 and 1, but significant differences existed between grade 0 and grades 2 and 3, between grade 1 and grades 2 and 3 (all P < 0.05). Statistical significance also existed between the severity of white matter lesions and rCBF in bilateral temporal lobes and lentiform nucleases (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
The severity of WML both in centrum semiovale and periventricular regions is associated significantly with reduction of rCBF within lesions.
Insights
The severity of white matter lesions (WML) in elderly individuals is linked to reduced regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) within these damaged areas. More severe WML correlates with greater reductions in blood flow, indicating a significant association between lesion burden and cerebral ischemia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging and Cerebrovascular Health
- Geriatric Medicine and Neuropathology
Context:
- White matter lesions (WML) are common in the elderly and are associated with cognitive decline and cerebrovascular disease.
- Understanding the relationship between WML severity and cerebral blood flow is crucial for assessing ischemic risk in aging populations.
Purpose:
- To investigate the association between the severity of white matter lesions (WML) and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in elderly individuals.
- To determine if WML in specific brain regions (centrum semiovale and periventricular areas) correlate with reduced blood flow.
Summary:
- White matter lesions were graded using the modified Fazekas scale on MRI, and regional cerebral blood flow was measured using Xenon contrast CT.
- A significant association was found between WML severity and reduced rCBF within both centrum semiovale and periventricular lesions.
- Higher grades of WML showed progressively lower rCBF, with significant differences observed between grades 0/1 and grades 2/3.
Impact:
- These findings highlight that increased WML severity is indicative of reduced cerebral perfusion, suggesting a link to ischemic processes.
- The study provides quantitative evidence supporting the clinical observation that WML burden impacts brain blood supply in the elderly.
- This research can inform diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for managing age-related cerebrovascular conditions.
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