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More severe white matter changes in the elderly with jugular venous reflux.
Chih-Ping Chung1, Pei-Ning Wang, Yi-Hui Wu
1Department of Neurology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan.
Annals of Neurology
|March 11, 2011
Summary
Severe jugular venous reflux is linked to more significant age-related white matter changes, particularly in older adults and caudal brain regions. This association may offer new insights into the causes of white matter changes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- The origins of age-related white matter changes (ARWMC) are not fully understood.
- Increased frequency of jugular venous reflux (JVR) with age mirrors ARWMC progression.
- Dural arteriovenous fistulas, associated with ARWMC and dementia, share similarities with JVR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between jugular venous reflux (JVR) and the severity of age-related white matter changes (ARWMC).
- To explore potential age-dependent effects of JVR on ARWMC.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the Scheltens scale assessed ARWMC severity.
- Duplex ultrasonography classified 97 participants (aged 55-90) into no, mild, or severe JVR groups.
Main Results:
- Severe JVR correlated with more severe ARWMC in occipital subcortical, thalamus, pontine, and infratentorial regions (p < 0.0166).
- These associations were more pronounced in individuals aged 75 and older.
- Older participants (≥75 years) with severe JVR showed higher whole-brain ARWMC scores.
Conclusions:
- Severe JVR is associated with increased ARWMC severity, especially in caudal brain areas.
- The study highlights an age-dependent relationship between JVR and ARWMC.
- Findings suggest JVR may play a role in the pathophysiology of ARWMC.
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