Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 26, 2026

A Mouse Model for Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Based on Needle-guided Asymmetric Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Stenosis
05:12

A Mouse Model for Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Based on Needle-guided Asymmetric Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Stenosis

Published on: November 22, 2024

1.4K

White matter hyperintensities in vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID): Knowledge gaps

Jessica Alber1, Suvarna Alladi2, Hee-Joon Bae3

  • 1Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA.

Alzheimer'S & Dementia (New York, N. Y.)
|April 24, 2019
PubMed

Insights

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs), common in older adults, are linked to cognitive decline and dementia. This review highlights key questions to advance understanding and treatment of WMHs and Alzheimer's disease.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Geriatrics

Background:

  • White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are prevalent in brain MRIs of older adults.
  • WMHs are often considered markers of cerebral small vessel disease.
  • They are associated with cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease (AD), but also appear in healthy individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify critical unanswered questions regarding WMHs and their relationship with cognition, dementia, and AD.
  • To foster collaboration between academic, clinical, and pharmaceutical sectors.
  • To guide future research for improved prevention and treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

  • This work is a collaborative perspective identifying key research questions.
  • It synthesizes current knowledge gaps from academic, clinical, and industry viewpoints.
  • No new experimental data was generated; it is a review and synthesis of outstanding issues.

Main Results:

  • Identified key questions include the underlying molecular and cellular changes in WMHs.
  • Explored neuropathological correlates, the role of demyelination and inflammation, and the clinical significance of WMHs in AD.
  • Addressed the utility of subdividing WMHs and identified risk factors and potential therapeutic targets.

Conclusions:

  • Answering these fundamental questions is crucial for advancing the understanding of WMHs.
  • Improved knowledge will facilitate the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies for WMHs and associated dementias.
  • Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential to tackle the complexities of WMHs in aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Keywords:
LeukoaraiosisSmall vessel diseaseVascular cognitive impairmentVascular dementiaWhite matter lesions

More Related Videos

Lexical Decision Task for Studying Written Word Recognition in Adults with and without Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment06:48

Lexical Decision Task for Studying Written Word Recognition in Adults with and without Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment

Published on: June 25, 2019

9.7K
A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment12:18

A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Published on: January 11, 2020

7.9K

Related Concept Videos

Dementia01:30

Dementia

Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual....
549
Cognitive Dissonance01:38

Cognitive Dissonance

Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
36.8K
Classifying Matter by State02:49

Classifying Matter by State

Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Matter is all around us; the air, water, soil, mountains, even our bodies are all examples of matter. Matter is divided into three states — solid, liquid, and gas — that are commonly found on earth. The fourth state of matter, plasma, occurs naturally in the interiors of stars. 
102.9K
Classifying Matter by Composition03:35

Classifying Matter by Composition

Matter: Pure Substances and Mixtures
According to its composition, the matter can be classified into two broad categories — pure substances and mixtures. 
A pure substance is a form of matter that has a constant composition throughout with uniform properties. For example, any sample of sucrose has the same composition and same physical properties, such as melting point, color, and sweetness, regardless of the source from which it is isolated. 
A mixture is composed of two or...
90.0K
Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter02:57

Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter

The characteristics that enable us to distinguish one substance from another are called properties.
165.8K
The Atomic Theory of Matter02:59

The Atomic Theory of Matter

The earliest recorded discussion of the basic structure of matter comes from ancient Greek philosophers. Leucippus and Democritus argued that all matter was composed of small, finite particles that they called atomos, meaning “indivisible.” Later, Aristotle and others came to the conclusion that matter consisted of various combinations of the four “elements” — fire, earth, air, and water — and could be infinitely divided. Interestingly, these philosophers...
127.2K