Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
07:30

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions

Published on: April 23, 2021

White matter hyperintensity signals associated with vascular risk factors in schizophrenia

F W Brown1, R R Lewine, P A Hudgins

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry
|January 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Schizophrenia patients with white matter hyperintensity signals showed higher rates of hypertension and cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs). This suggests vascular disease may contribute to white matter changes in schizophrenia.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Radiology

Background:

  • White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are frequently observed in neuroimaging studies.
  • The relationship between WMH and vascular risk factors in schizophrenia requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between white matter hyperintensity signals and vascular risk factors in individuals with schizophrenia compared to a healthy control group.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 165 schizophrenic subjects and a normal control group were assessed.
  • Vascular risk factors were evaluated through comprehensive medical chart reviews.
  • Brain MRI scans were acquired using 0.5 and 1.5 Tesla Philips scanners to detect WMH signals.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence of WMH signals was similar between schizophrenic subjects (4.8%) and controls (4.9%).
  • Schizophrenic individuals with WMH signals exhibited a significant association with hypertension and a history of cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs).

Conclusions:

  • WMH signals in schizophrenia are linked to vascular risk factors, specifically hypertension and CVAs.
  • These findings support the hypothesis that vascular disease plays a role in the etiology of WMH in schizophrenia.

More Related Videos

Derivation, Expansion, Cryopreservation and Characterization of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells08:04

Derivation, Expansion, Cryopreservation and Characterization of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: November 19, 2020

Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra05:14

Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra

Published on: September 8, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Biological Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Biological Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder, arises from a complex interplay of biological factors, including genetic predisposition, structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and developmental irregularities. These factors collectively contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder, which typically manifests in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
Dementia l: Introduction01:22

Dementia l: Introduction

Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...