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Published on: April 23, 2021
Headache intensity is associated with increased white matter lesion burden in CADASIL patients
Miguel Tábuas-Pereira1, Ricardo Varela2, José Beato-Coelho2
1Department of Neurology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
Insights
In patients with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), increased white matter lesion volume is linked to older age, female sex, and intense headaches. These factors predict greater disease burden in CADASIL.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Genetics
Background:
- Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a leading hereditary cause of adult vascular dementia.
- Migraine is a prominent clinical manifestation in CADASIL patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical and demographical predictors of cerebral lesion burden in CADASIL.
- To identify headache characteristics associated with white matter hyperintensities volume (WMH-V) in CADASIL.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study included 32 CADASIL patients.
- Data collected included demographics, vascular risk factors, and detailed headache characteristics via questionnaire.
- White matter hyperintensities volume (WMH-V) was quantified using 3-T MRI.
Main Results:
- Regression analysis identified age (β = 1.266), headache intensity (β = 5.143), and female sex (β = 19.727) as significant predictors of WMH-V.
- These factors were independently associated with increased white matter lesion burden.
Conclusions:
- Age, female sex, and headache intensity are key clinical factors associated with greater white matter lesion volume in CADASIL.
- Understanding these predictors may aid in managing disease progression and patient outcomes.
Objectives:
Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is the most common hereditary cause of vascular dementia in adults. Migraine is a major symptom of the disease. We aimed to identify clinical and demographical features of the headache associated with increased cerebral lesion burden in a cohort of CADASIL patients.
Methods:
Thirty-two patients with CADASIL were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Demographics data, vascular risk factors and headache characteristics were collected through a structured questionnaire. MRI (3-T) was used to determine white matter hyperintensities burden evaluated by its volume (WMH-V).
Results:
Regression analysis showed that age (β = 1.266, 95%CI = [0.805, 1.726], p < 0.001), headache intensity (β = 5.143, 95%CI = [2.362, 7.924], p = 0.001) and female sex (β = 19.727, 95%CI = [8.750, 30.075], p = 0.001) were the main predictors of WMH-V.
Discussion:
Age, female sex and headache intensity are associated with increased white matter lesion volume in CADASIL.
