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Huang WQ, Lin Q, Tzeng CM. Leukoaraiosis: Epidemiology, Imaging, Risk Factors, and Management of Age-Related Cerebral White Matter Hyperintensities. J Stroke 2024; 26:131-163. [PMID: 38836265 PMCID: PMC11164597 DOI: 10.5853/jos.2023.02719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Leukoaraiosis (LA) manifests as cerebral white matter hyperintensities on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans and corresponds to white matter lesions or abnormalities in brain tissue. Clinically, it is generally detected in the early 40s and is highly prevalent globally in individuals aged >60 years. From the imaging perspective, LA can present as several heterogeneous forms, including punctate and patchy lesions in deep or subcortical white matter; lesions with periventricular caps, a pencil-thin lining, and smooth halo; as well as irregular lesions, which are not always benign. Given its potential of having deleterious effects on normal brain function and the resulting increase in public health burden, considerable effort has been focused on investigating the associations between various risk factors and LA risk, and developing its associated clinical interventions. However, study results have been inconsistent, most likely due to potential differences in study designs, neuroimaging methods, and sample sizes as well as the inherent neuroimaging heterogeneity and multi-factorial nature of LA. In this article, we provided an overview of LA and summarized the current knowledge regarding its epidemiology, neuroimaging classification, pathological characteristics, risk factors, and potential intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Qing Huang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Lin
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Xiamen Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Fujian Provincial Clinical Research Center for Brain Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- The Third Clinical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Chi-Meng Tzeng
- Translational Medicine Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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Wang X, Yin H, Ji X, Sang S, Shao S, Wang G, Lv M, Xue F, Du Y, Sun Q. Association between homocysteine and white matter hyperintensities in rural-dwelling Chinese people with asymptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis: A population-based study. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e02205. [PMID: 34032023 PMCID: PMC8323025 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Although homocysteine (Hcy) has been proven to be associated with the incidence of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in patients with stroke, this association remains unclear in participants with asymptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis (aICAS). This study aimed to investigate the association of Hcy with WMH in participants with aICAS. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a cross-sectional study based on the Kongcun Town Study. Participants diagnosed with aICAS by magnetic resonance angiography in the Kongcun Town Study were enrolled in this study. Data on demographics, lifestyle, medical histories, and Hcy levels were collected via interviews, clinical examinations, and laboratory tests. The volume of WMH was calculated using the lesion segmentation tool system for the Statistical Parametric Mapping package based on magnetic resonance imaging. The association between Hcy and WMH volume was analyzed using linear and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS A total of 137 aICAS participants were enrolled in the present study. Hcy was associated with the incidence of severe WMH (4th quartile, ≥4.20 ml) after adjustment for certain covariates [Hcy as a continuous variable, odds ratio (95% confidence interval) (OR (95% CI)): 1.09 (1.00, 1.19), p = .047; as a categorical variable (Hcy ≥15 μmol/L), OR (95% CI): 3.74 (1.37, 10.19), p = .010)]. After stratification according to the degree of aICAS, this relationship remained significant only in the moderate-to-severe stenosis group (stenosis ≥50%). (Hcy as continuous variable, OR (95% CI): 1.14 (1.02, 1.27), p = .025; as a categorical variable (Hcy ≥15 μmol/L), OR (95% CI): 5.59 (1.40, 15.25), p = .015). CONCLUSION Serum Hcy concentration may be positively associated with the volume of WMH in rural-dwelling Chinese people with moderate-to-severe (stenosis ≥50%) aICAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Hao Yin
- Department of Neurology, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, Jining, China
| | - Xiaokang Ji
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shaowei Sang
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Sai Shao
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Guangbin Wang
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ming Lv
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fuzhong Xue
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yifeng Du
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Qinjian Sun
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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Essouma M, Noubiap JJN. Therapeutic potential of folic acid supplementation for cardiovascular disease prevention through homocysteine lowering and blockade in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Biomark Res 2015; 3:24. [PMID: 26346508 PMCID: PMC4559887 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-015-0049-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that preferentially affects joints, and characterized by an approximately two-fold increased risk of cardiovascular diseases compared with the general population. Beyond classical cardiovascular risk factors, systemic inflammatory markers are primarily involved. Hence, anti-inflammatory strategies such as homocysteine-lowering interventions are warranted. Indeed, hyperhomocysteinemia is commonly found in RA patients as a result of both genetic and non-genetic factors including older age, male gender, disease-specific features and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Most importantly in the pathophysiology of hyperhomocysteinemia and its related cardiovascular diseases in RA, there is a bi-directional link between immuno-inflammatory activation and hyperhomocysteinemia. As such, chronic immune activation causes B vitamins (including folic acid) depletion and subsequent hyperhomocysteinemia. In turn, hyperhomocysteinemia may perpetrate immuno-inflammatory stimulation via nuclear factor ƙappa B enhancement. This chronic immune activation is a key determinant of hyperhomocysteinemia-related cardiovascular diseases in RA patients. Folate, a homocysteine-lowering therapy could prove valuable for cardiovascular disease prevention in RA patients in the near future with respect to homocysteine reduction along with blockade of subsequent oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and endothelial dysfunction. Thus, large scale and long term homocysteine-lowering clinical trials would be helpful to clarify the association between hyperhomocysteinemia and cardiovascular diseases in RA patients and to definitely state conditions surrounding folic acid supplementation. This article reviews direct and indirect evidence for cardiovascular disease prevention with folic acid supplementation in RA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickael Essouma
- Division of Medicine, Sangmelima Referral Hospital, P.O. Box 890, Sangmelima, Cameroon
| | - Jean Jacques N Noubiap
- Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa ; Medical Diagnostic Center, Yaoundé, Cameroon
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Holc I, Hojs R, Čikeš N, Ambrožič A, Čučnik S, Kveder T, Rozman B, Pahor A. Antiphospholipid antibodies and atherosclerosis: Insights from Rheumatoid arthritis – A five-year follow-up study. Immunobiology 2011; 216:1331-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2011.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2010] [Revised: 03/18/2011] [Accepted: 05/07/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Xiong YY, Mok V. Age-related white matter changes. J Aging Res 2011; 2011:617927. [PMID: 21876810 PMCID: PMC3163144 DOI: 10.4061/2011/617927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2011] [Revised: 06/28/2011] [Accepted: 06/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related white matter changes (WMC) are considered manifestation of arteriolosclerotic small vessel disease and are related to age and vascular risk factors. Most recent studies have shown that WMC are associated with a host of poor outcomes, including cognitive impairment, dementia, urinary incontinence, gait disturbances, depression, and increased risk of stroke and death. Although the clinical relevance of WMC has been extensively studied, to date, only very few clinical trials have evaluated potential symptomatic or preventive treatments for WMC. In this paper, we reviewed the current understanding in the pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical importance, chemical biomarkers, and treatments of age-related WMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Yun Xiong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Shatin 999077, Hong Kong
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Anan F, Masaki T, Eto T, Iwao T, Shimomura T, Umeno Y, Eshima N, Saikawa T, Yoshimatsu H. Visceral fat accumulation is a significant risk factor for white matter lesions in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients. Eur J Clin Invest 2009; 39:368-74. [PMID: 19320939 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2009.02103.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The presence of white matter lesions (WML) is an important prognostic factor for the development of stroke. The elevated visceral fat accumulation (VFA) has been reported to be closely related to the development of atherosclerosis. This preliminary study was therefore designed to test the hypothesis that the presence of WML correlates with VFA and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients not receiving insulin treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS Based on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 95 type 2 diabetic patients were divided into two groups: WML-positive group (aged 59 +/- 7 years, mean +/- SD n = 37) and WML-negative group (aged 58 +/- 5, years, n = 58). The level of blood glucose was assessed by fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting immunoreactive insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index, and haemoglobin A1c. The fat distribution was evaluated by measuring the visceral fat accumulation by abdominal computerized tomography at the umbilical level. RESULTS The body mass index was higher in the WML-positive group than in the WML-negative group (P < 0.005). Plasma levels of triglycerides were higher while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was lower in the WML-positive group than in the WML-negative group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). FPG (P < 0.01), insulin concentrations (P < 0.0001), HOMA index (P < 0.0001) and VFA (<0.0001) levels were higher in the WML-positive group than in the WML-negative group. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that WML was independently predicted by the high VFA and insulin resistance (P < 0.001, P < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The results of this preliminary study indicate that the presence of WML was associated with the high VFA and insulin resistance in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Further larger cohort studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Anan
- Oita Red Cross Hospital, Oita, Japan.
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