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Identification of Disease-related Spatial Covariance Patterns using Neuroimaging Data
14:27

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Published on: June 26, 2013

White matter hyperintensity spatial patterns: Risk factors and clinical correlates

Frauke Beyer1,2, Ami Tsuchida3, Aicha Soumaré1

  • 1Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, Inserm UMR1219, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.

Alzheimer'S & Dementia : the Journal of the Alzheimer'S Association
|April 7, 2025
PubMed

Insights

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) location matters. Frontoparietal WMHs link to blood pressure and dementia risk, while occipital WMHs associate with dementia and hemorrhage, not blood pressure.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Cerebrovascular Disease

Background:

  • White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are key markers of cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD).
  • WMH pathology can vary based on their location within the brain.
  • Understanding these spatial variations is crucial for cSVD research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical and genetic factors associated with distinct spatial patterns of WMHs.
  • To explore the relationship between WMH distribution and cognitive decline, dementia, and stroke incidence.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Bullseye segmentation to identify seven distinct WMH spatial patterns in 2878 participants (aged 65+).
  • Analyzed associations with vascular risk factors, genetic risk scores (GRS), cognitive performance, and incidence of dementia and stroke.

Main Results:

  • Frontoparietal and anterior periventricular WMHs correlated with blood pressure, WMH GRS, cognitive decline, dementia, and ischemic stroke.
  • Juxtacortical-deep occipital WMHs showed no association with vascular risk factors or WMH GRS.
  • Occipital WMHs were linked to increased risk of all-cause dementia and intracerebral hemorrhage.

Conclusions:

  • WMH spatial distribution is critical for understanding cSVD subtypes.
  • Differentiating WMH patterns aids in identifying specific underlying pathologies.
  • This approach is essential for developing personalized therapeutic strategies for cSVD.
Abstract

Keywords:
dementiageneticsspatial patternsstrokevascular riskwhite matter hyperintensities

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