Changes in microvessel density in normal-appearing white matter in relation to cerebral small vessel disease: A
Johannes H Reilly1, Isabelle van Sloten2, Ahmed A Khalil3
1Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Background And Purpose:
White matter hyperintensities (WMH) of presumed vascular origin describe structural alterations of cerebral white matter, thought to result from cerebral small vessel disease. However, the in vivo effects of WMH on normal-appearing white matter microvasculature remain elusive. Therefore, we conducted an exploratory investigation of microvascular density in normal-appearing and pathological white matter in patients with WMH.
Methods:
Using magnetic resonance imaging-based vessel size imaging we investigated an index of microvessel density in vivo in two clinical cohorts with ischaemic events (cohort_A, N = 88, mean age = 77.18) and intracranial neoplasms (cohort_B, N = 58, mean age = 65.45). For analysis, regions of interest were created for the whole normal-appearing white matter, the normal-appearing centrum semiovale, the WMH, the WMH penumbra, and the normal-appearing striatum. The severity of WMH-burden was quantified using the Wahlund score.
Results:
In both cohorts, the index of microvessel density in the striatum was significantly higher than in normal-appearing white matter. There was no significant difference between WMH and WMH penumbra. However, both WMH and WMH penumbra had a significantly lower index of microvessel density than normal-appearing white matter in the subgroup of patients with high Wahlund scores. Lastly, the index of microvessel density in the normal-appearing centrum semiovale was higher in patients with high compared to low Wahlund scores in both cohorts. This comparison was not significant after adjusting for age.
Conclusions:
Our results suggest a complex relationship between cerebral small vessel disease-related WMH and microvascular changes in the normal-appearing white matter, potentially indicative of WMH-related angiogenesis.
Insights
White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are linked to altered microvasculature in normal-appearing white matter. Findings suggest WMH may influence angiogenesis in cerebral small vessel disease.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are structural changes in cerebral white matter, often linked to cerebral small vessel disease.
- The impact of WMH on the microvasculature of normal-appearing white matter in vivo is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microvessel density in normal-appearing and pathological white matter in patients with WMH.
- To explore the relationship between WMH severity and microvascular characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging-based vessel size imaging was used to assess microvessel density.
- Two clinical cohorts (ischemic events and intracranial neoplasms) were studied.
- Regions of interest included normal-appearing white matter, WMH, WMH penumbra, and striatum; WMH burden was quantified by Wahlund score.
Main Results:
- Microvessel density was higher in the striatum than in normal-appearing white matter across both cohorts.
- WMH and WMH penumbra showed lower microvessel density than normal-appearing white matter in patients with high WMH burden (high Wahlund scores).
- Normal-appearing centrum semiovale showed higher microvessel density in patients with high WMH burden, though this was not significant after age adjustment.
Conclusions:
- Cerebral small vessel disease-related WMH exhibit a complex association with microvascular changes in adjacent normal-appearing white matter.
- Findings may suggest WMH-related angiogenesis, indicating potential adaptive or pathological vascular remodeling.
