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Updated: Aug 9, 2025
A Versatile Murine Model of Subcortical White Matter Stroke for the Study of Axonal Degeneration and White Matter Neurobiology
Published on: March 17, 2016
Changes in White Matter Microstructure Over 3 Years in People With and Without Stroke
Natalia Egorova-Brumley1, Thijs Dhollander2, Wasim Khan2
1From the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences (N.E.-B.), University of Melbourne; Dementia Theme (N.E.-B., W.K., M.S.K., D.E., A.B.), The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health; Developmental Imaging (T.D.), Murdoch Children's Research Institute; and Cognitive Health Initiative (M.S.K., A.B.), Central Clinical School (CCS), Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. natalia.brumley@unimelb.edu.au.
White matter degeneration continues for years after stroke, impacting cognitive functions like visuospatial processing and memory. This study tracked white matter changes over three years post-stroke.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- White matter dysfunction contributes to cognitive decline in neurodegenerative disorders and stroke outcomes.
- Longitudinal white matter changes after stroke are not well understood.
- MRI-derived indices estimate cerebral white matter health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize white matter micro- and macrostructure changes over three years post-stroke.
- To investigate associations between white matter metrics and cognitive function.
- To compare white matter degeneration in stroke survivors versus controls over time.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal fixel-based analysis of diffusion-weighted MRI data at 3, 12, and 36 months.
- Inclusion of ischemic stroke patients and age/sex-matched controls.
- Assessment of fiber density (microstructure) and cross-section (macrostructure) in relation to cognitive performance.
Main Results:
- Stroke survivors showed extensive whole-brain white matter degeneration compared to controls.
- Degeneration was prominent in thalamic, cerebellar, striatal tracts, and corpus callosum.
- Declines in fiber density and cross-section correlated with worse cognitive performance at 3 years, particularly in visuospatial processing, processing speed, language, and memory.
Conclusions:
- White matter neurodegeneration persists and is greater in stroke survivors years after the event.
- Ongoing white matter degeneration is linked to post-stroke cognitive impairment.
- Findings highlight the long-term impact of stroke on brain structure and function.
