Leukoaraiosis is associated with arterial wall thickness: a quantitative analysis.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Vascular Biology
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Leukoaraiosis is an age-related change in brain white matter visible on neuroimaging.
• Its pathogenesis is debated, though linked to cerebrovascular disease and ischemia.
• Structural abnormalities of blood vessels are hypothesized as a cause.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between physical blood vessel abnormalities and leukoaraiosis.
• To compare blood vessel wall measurements in brains with and without severe leukoaraiosis.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 14 brains with severe leukoaraiosis and 5 control brains.
• Measurement of arterial cross-sections using image analysis software.
• Quantification of arterial wall thickness and vessel diameter ratios.

Main Results:

• Leukoaraiosis patients exhibited significantly thicker vessel walls compared to controls.
• Vessel walls were thicker by 5.5 µm (same inner diameter) and 2.3 µm (same outer diameter).
• Statistical significance was found for both comparisons (P < 0.00001 and P = 0.016, respectively).

Conclusions:

• Leukoaraiosis is associated with additive thickening of blood vessel walls.
• Structural vascular abnormalities play a role in the pathogenesis of leukoaraiosis.