Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Vascular risk factors mediate the relationship between education and white matter hyperintensities
Shima Raeesi1,2, Yashar Zeighami1,2, Roqaie Moqadam1,3
1Cerebral Imaging Center, Douglas Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Introduction:
Education can protect against cognitive decline and dementia through cognitive reserve and reduced vascular risk. This study examined whether vascular risk mediated the relationship between education and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden.
Methods:
Data from 1443 older adults from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center were analyzed. A composite vascular score was created using diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, alcohol abuse, body mass index, and blood pressure. Linear regressions and mediation analyses examined associations and indirect effects between education, vascular risk, and WMHs, adjusting for age, sex, and diagnosis.
Results:
Higher education was associated with lower vascular risk (p < 0.001) and WMH burden (p = 0.004). Mediation analysis showed an indirect effect of education on WMH via vascular risk (a*b = -0.02, p < 0.001), accounting for 27% of the total effect.
Discussion:
Education influences cerebrovascular health by reducing vascular risk. Addressing vascular health may reduce WMH burden.
Highlights:
Education is associated with lower WMH burden in aging adults. Vascular risk factors mediate the education-WMH relationship. Higher education predicts better vascular profiles and less WMH accumulation.
More Related Videos
10:11Fundus Photography as a Convenient Tool to Study Microvascular Responses to Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Epidemiological Studies
Published on: October 22, 2014
06:04Author Spotlight: Assessing the Cardiovascular Profile of Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Published on: September 27, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Vascular Resistance
The primary determinants of vascular resistance are vessel diameter, blood viscosity, and vessel length. Among these, vessel diameter plays the most significant role due to the fourth power relationship described by...
Biological Influences on Intelligence
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction
Imaging Studies VII: Vascular Imaging
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...