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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
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Cigarette Smoke Exposure in Mice using a Whole-Body Inhalation System
Published on: October 22, 2020
Age-dependent association between cigarette smoking on white matter hyperintensities
Sung Hun Kim1, Chang-Ho Yun, Seo-Young Lee
1Department of Neurology, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon, South Korea.
Summary
Cigarette smoking is linked to brain white matter changes (WMHs), but the effect differs by age. Younger smokers show more periventricular WMHs, while older smokers have greater deep WMH burden.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cigarette smoking is a known risk factor for cerebrovascular diseases.
- Previous studies suggest an association between smoking and white matter hyperintensities (WMHs).
- The impact of smoking on WMHs across different age groups requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cigarette smoking and white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in relation to patient age.
- To determine if the location and severity of WMHs differ between smokers and non-smokers across age strata.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 595 outpatients from January 2007 to March 2010.
- WMHs (periventricular and deep) were graded using established criteria (Rotterdam Scan Study).
- Statistical comparison of WMH burden between smokers and non-smokers, stratified by age (<65 and ≥65 years).
Main Results:
- In younger patients (<65), smokers exhibited higher grades of periventricular WMHs (PVWMHs) and more microbleeds than non-smokers.
- In older patients (≥65), smokers had a significantly greater burden of deep WMHs (DWMHs) compared to non-smokers.
- Multivariate regression identified smoking as an independent risk factor for PVWMHs in younger individuals and DWMHs in older individuals.
Conclusions:
- The association between cigarette smoking and WMHs is age-dependent.
- Smoking's impact on WMH location and severity varies between younger and older adults.
- Age is a critical factor to consider when evaluating the neuroimaging effects of smoking.
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