Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
07:30

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions

Published on: April 23, 2021

3.5K

25-hydroxyvitamin D status is associated with chronic cerebral small vessel disease

Pil-Wook Chung1, Kwang-Yeol Park2, Jeong-Min Kim1

  • 1From the Department of Neurology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (P.-W.C., Y.B.K., H.-S.M.); Department of Neurology (K.-Y.P., J.-M.K., D.-W.S., M.-S.P., S.-W.A., H.-W.S.) and Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine (Y.J.C.), Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; and Department of Neurology, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea (S.-Y.H.).

Stroke
|November 27, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) are linked to markers of cerebral small vessel disease, including lacunes, white matter hyperintensity, and microbleeds. These findings suggest vitamin D may play a role in preventing small vessel disease.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Endocrinology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is a major cause of stroke and cognitive impairment.
  • Neuroimaging techniques reveal key SVD markers such as lacunes, white matter hyperintensity, and cerebral microbleeds (CMB).
  • The role of vitamin D in cerebrovascular health is an emerging area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and neuroimaging indicators of SVD.
  • To determine if 25(OH)D deficiency is linked to specific SVD markers like lacunes, white matter hyperintensity, and CMB.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 759 patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack was analyzed.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess lacunes, white matter hyperintensity, and CMB.
  • Linear and logistic regression models were employed to test the association between 25(OH)D levels and SVD markers.

Main Results:

  • Lower 25(OH)D levels were significantly associated with an increased presence of lacunes, severe white matter hyperintensity, and deep CMB.
  • Vitamin D deficiency (≤25 nmol/L) showed a strong association with all assessed SVD markers.
  • These associations persisted after multivariable adjustment and in subgroups of previously healthy individuals.

Conclusions:

  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D is inversely associated with key neuroimaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease.
  • The findings suggest a potential link between vitamin D status and SVD.
  • Future clinical trials should explore the efficacy of 25(OH)D supplementation in preventing SVD progression.
Abstract

Keywords:
vitamin D

More Related Videos

Longitudinal In Vivo Imaging of the Cerebrovasculature: Relevance to CNS Diseases07:47

Longitudinal In Vivo Imaging of the Cerebrovasculature: Relevance to CNS Diseases

Published on: December 6, 2016

7.7K
Quantification of Cerebral Vascular Architecture using Two-photon Microscopy in a Mouse Model of HIV-induced Neuroinflammation10:04

Quantification of Cerebral Vascular Architecture using Two-photon Microscopy in a Mouse Model of HIV-induced Neuroinflammation

Published on: January 12, 2016

9.8K

Related Concept Videos

Dementia l: Introduction01:22

Dementia l: Introduction

Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...
4
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this...
2