Homocysteine and ischemic stroke subtype: a relationship study in Chinese patients

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

The Antihypertensive Effects and Mechanisms of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction in Rats with H-Type Hypertension
05:57

The Antihypertensive Effects and Mechanisms of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction in Rats with H-Type Hypertension

Published on: May 17, 2024

Yuetao Ma1, Xingquan Zhao, Wei Zhang

  • 1Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.

Neurological Research
|August 8, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Elevated homocysteine levels are linked to small vessel disease and leukoaraiosis severity in Chinese ischemic stroke patients. Those with confluent leukoaraiosis showed the highest homocysteine levels.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Vascular Medicine
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Elevated homocysteine is a known risk factor for ischemic stroke.
  • Homocysteine is associated with small vessel disease, including confluent leukoaraiosis, in diverse populations.
  • The relationship between homocysteine and stroke subtypes in the Chinese population requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between total serum homocysteine levels and ischemic stroke subtypes in a Chinese population.
  • To explore the correlation between homocysteine levels and the severity of leukoaraiosis.
  • To determine if confluent leukoaraiosis is associated with higher homocysteine levels in small vessel disease patients.

Main Methods:

  • Enrolled 377 acute ischemic stroke patients and 106 transient ischemic attack patients.
  • Classified stroke subtypes using the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria.
  • Graded leukoaraiosis severity and categorized small vessel disease patients based on confluent leukoaraiosis.

Main Results:

  • Small vessel disease patients exhibited the highest homocysteine levels after adjusting for covariates.
  • Homocysteine levels differed significantly between ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack groups.
  • Elevated homocysteine correlated with increased leukoaraiosis severity in stroke and small vessel disease patients.
  • Small vessel disease patients with leukoaraiosis had significantly higher homocysteine than those without.

Conclusions:

  • Small vessel disease patients with confluent leukoaraiosis demonstrated the highest homocysteine levels in this Chinese cohort.
  • Homocysteine levels are significantly associated with leukoaraiosis severity in ischemic stroke.
  • Findings highlight homocysteine as a potential biomarker for small vessel disease and stroke severity.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction01:15

Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction

Ischemic stroke is an acute cerebrovascular condition in which blood flow to a brain region is suddenly interrupted, leading to tissue infarction. Neurons depend on continuous oxygen and glucose supply, so even brief reductions in perfusion cause energy failure, ionic imbalance, and irreversible injury. Ischemic strokes are classified into thrombotic and embolic types based on their underlying mechanisms.Thrombotic MechanismsThrombotic stroke develops when a clot forms within a cerebral artery.
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction01:17

Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction

A hemorrhagic stroke is an acute neurological event that occurs when a weakened cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to accumulate within or around the brain. The sudden release of blood forms a focal hematoma that increases intracranial pressure, displaces neural tissue, and can obstruct cerebrospinal fluid pathways. These effects may be compounded by intraventricular extension of the hemorrhage, cerebral edema, or compression of adjacent structures, all of which contribute to...
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:15

Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

An ischemic stroke occurs when a cerebral blood vessel becomes obstructed, most often by a thrombus or embolus, interrupting the delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain tissue. Because neurons rely on continuous aerobic metabolism, energy failure begins within minutes of reduced perfusion. The region receiving the least blood flow becomes the infarct core, an area of irreversible cellular death. Surrounding this core lies the penumbra, a zone of hypoperfused but still viable tissue that is...
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
Stroke: Introduction and Types01:29

Stroke: Introduction and Types

A stroke is an acute neurological event caused by the sudden disruption of cerebral blood flow, leading to rapid loss of neuronal function. Neurons depend on continuous oxygen and glucose supply, so even brief interruptions can cause irreversible injury within minutes. Strokes are classified into ischemic and hemorrhagic types.Ischemic StrokeIschemic strokes are most common and occur due to arterial occlusion, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. This leads to energy failure, ionic...
Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview01:17

Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview

Ischemic heart disease occurs when the heart's blood supply dwindles, causing an ominous lack of oxygen and nutrients. This deficiency, stemming from reduced or obstructed blood flow, spells danger, leading to heart muscle damage and dysfunction.
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and narrowing...