Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 31, 2025
10:25
Brain Infarct Segmentation and Registration on MRI or CT for Lesion-symptom Mapping
Published on: September 25, 2019
48.3K
Association between white matter hyperintensity volume and social functioning limitations among stroke survivors
Flora G Chang1, Natalia S Rost2, JoAnn E Manson1
1Division of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA.
Summary
White matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV) in stroke patients is linked to social interaction difficulties. Further research is needed to confirm this association in larger, diverse populations.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Stroke Research
Background:
- White matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV) is a common finding in stroke patients.
- Limited research exists on the association between WMHV and post-stroke social functioning limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between WMHV and various social functioning limitations in ischemic stroke patients.
- To investigate the impact of WMHV on daily activities such as transportation, social interaction, food preparation, grocery shopping, and housekeeping.
Main Methods:
- Prospective data from 151 ischemic stroke patients in the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) study were analyzed.
- WMHV was quantified using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the time of stroke.
- Social functioning limitations were assessed via a questionnaire administered a median of 1.25 years post-stroke.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant association was found between WMHV and limitations in social interaction (OR=2.82).
- Increased risks for limitations in food preparation, transportation, and housekeeping were observed but did not reach statistical significance.
- No association was found between WMHV and limitations in grocery shopping.
Conclusions:
- WMHV is significantly associated with social interaction limitations post-stroke.
- Further research is required to elucidate the biological mechanisms and validate these findings in larger, diverse cohorts.
