Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 19, 2026
Assessing Cortical Cerebral Microinfarcts on High Resolution MR Images
Published on: November 20, 2015
New insights into cerebral small vessel disease and vascular cognitive impairment from MRI
Eric E Smith1, Andrew E Beaudin
1Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Purpose Of Review:
We review recent MRI research that addresses two important challenges in cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) research: early diagnosis, and linking SVD with cognitive impairment. First, we review studies of MRI measurements of blood flow and blood-brain barrier integrity. Second, we review MRI studies identifying neuroimaging correlates of SVD-related cognitive dysfunction, focusing on brain connectivity and white matter microarchitecture. This research is placed in context through discussion of recent recommendations for management of incidentally discovered SVD, and neuroimaging biomarker use in clinical trials.
Recent Findings:
Cerebral perfusion, cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), blood-brain barrier permeability, and white matter microarchitecture are measurable using MRI, and are altered in SVD. Lower cerebral blood flow predicts a higher future risk for dementia, whereas decreased CVR occurs at early stages of SVD and is associated with future white matter hyperintensity growth. Two new approaches to analyzing diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data in SVD patients have emerged: graph theory-based analysis of networks of DTI connectivity between cortical nodes, and analysis of histograms of mean diffusivity of the hemispheric white matter.
Summary:
New, advanced quantitative neuroimaging techniques are not ready for routine radiological practice but are already being employed as monitoring biomarkers in the newest generation of trials for SVD.
Insights
Advanced MRI techniques aid in early diagnosis of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) and understanding its link to cognitive impairment. These methods show promise as biomarkers in clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) presents challenges in early diagnosis and understanding its association with cognitive decline.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers potential for assessing SVD-related brain changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent MRI research on early SVD diagnosis and its link to cognitive impairment.
- To explore MRI measurements of blood flow, blood-brain barrier integrity, brain connectivity, and white matter microarchitecture in SVD.
- To contextualize findings with management recommendations and biomarker use in clinical trials.
Main Methods:
- Review of MRI studies focusing on cerebral perfusion, cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), and blood-brain barrier integrity.
- Analysis of MRI studies examining neuroimaging correlates of SVD-related cognitive dysfunction, including brain connectivity and white matter microarchitecture.
- Inclusion of novel diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) analysis methods like graph theory and mean diffusivity histograms.
Main Results:
- MRI can measure alterations in cerebral perfusion, CVR, blood-brain barrier permeability, and white matter microarchitecture in SVD.
- Reduced cerebral blood flow is linked to increased dementia risk; decreased CVR is an early SVD marker associated with white matter hyperintensity growth.
- New DTI analysis approaches, including graph theory and mean diffusivity histograms, are emerging for SVD research.
Conclusions:
- Advanced quantitative neuroimaging techniques are valuable biomarkers in current SVD clinical trials.
- These techniques, while not yet for routine practice, are advancing SVD research and monitoring.
More Related Videos
05:12A Mouse Model for Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Based on Needle-guided Asymmetric Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Stenosis
Published on: November 22, 2024
07:30Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Related Concept Videos
01:19Imaging Studies VII: Vascular Imaging
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI