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Updated: Jan 20, 2026

A Mouse Model for Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Based on Needle-guided Asymmetric Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Stenosis
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A Mouse Model for Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Based on Needle-guided Asymmetric Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Stenosis

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Evaluating regional and global diffusion measures as biomarkers for vascular contributions to cognitive impairment

Sheelakumari Raghavan1, Scott A Przybelski2, Robert I Reid3

  • 1Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

Cerebral Circulation - Cognition and Behavior
|January 19, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Diffusion MRI (dMRI) detects early white matter damage in small vessel disease (SVD). Global free water and a composite vascular score show promise as biomarkers for preventing vascular contribution to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID).

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Vascular Neurology
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

  • Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) impacts white matter (WM) integrity.
  • Diffusion MRI (dMRI) offers potential for early detection of SVD-related tissue changes.
  • Understanding regional WM changes is crucial for cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate regional predictors of WM damage using dMRI in SVD.
  • To compare longitudinal dMRI measures for VCID prevention trials.
  • To assess the utility of dMRI markers in predicting cognitive decline.

Main Methods:

  • Included 718 participants with multiple dMRI scans and neuroimaging data.
  • Analyzed single-shell dMRI measures including fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity.
  • Assessed regional dMRI changes, longitudinal associations with cognition, and sample size estimates for clinical trials.

Main Results:

  • Vascular risk correlated with dMRI changes, particularly in the genu of the corpus callosum.
  • All SVD markers showed longitudinal associations with cognitive performance.
  • Global free water and a composite vascular WM score yielded the smallest sample size estimates for trials.

Conclusions:

  • dMRI markers revealed frontal lobe changes linked to vascular risk and cognitive decline.
  • Composite vascular WM score, global free water, and WMH are potential VCID biomarkers.
  • Further validation of these markers across diverse populations is recommended.
Keywords:
Diffusion MRIcognitionsmall vessel disease

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