Roseborough A, Ramirez J, Black SE, Edwards JD. Associations between amyloid β and white matter hyperintensities: A systematic review.
Alzheimers Dement 2017;
13:1154-1167. [PMID:
28322203 DOI:
10.1016/j.jalz.2017.01.026]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
This systematic review synthesizes current evidence for associations between cortical amyloid β, visualized on amyloid positron emission tomography imaging, and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden on magnetic resonance imaging in healthy elderly adults and individuals with cognitive impairment and dementia.
METHODS
Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) systematic review guidelines, we systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and PsycINFO databases from January 2000 to September 2015.
RESULTS
Our search returned 492 articles, 34 of which met criteria for inclusion in the final selection. Most studies reported no significant relationships between amyloid β and WMH burden across diagnostic groups.
DISCUSSION
Findings of this systematic review suggest that amyloid accumulation and WMH are independent but additive processes. The limited number of independent cohorts, lack of longitudinal data, and exclusion of individuals with mixed dementia limit the generalizability of these findings. Further studies are required to elucidate the putative contributions of vascular processes to neurodegenerative pathology.
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