Research progress in pathogenesis of white matter hyperintensity related dizziness in small cerebral vascular disease / 中国综合临床

With the development of neuroimaging technology, cerebral small vessel disease has become a hot research topic in recent years. It has been clearly related to cognitive decline, dementia and gait instability. However, recent studies have found that small cerebral vascular disease with white matter hyperintensities is the main cause of chronic dizziness in the elderly, but the pathogenesis is not completely clear, which may be related to brain neural network disconnection, visual dependence, eye movement disorder caused by abnormal brain tissue structure, oxidative stress regulation disorder, cerebral blood flow self-regulation disorder, and the interaction mechanism between vestibular system and emotional disorder.

Genetic inhibition of MLKL exerts protective effects against cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation in a cerebral small vessel disease model / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To identify the role of mixed lineage kinase domain like protein(MLKL)in cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD)and explore the underlying mechanism.METHODS Transient bilateral common carotid artery occlusion(tBCCAO)was used to establish a mouse model of CSVD.Immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting were used to observe the expres-sions of RIPK3/MLKL signaling molecules in brain tissues at 7,14 and 28 d after tBCCAO.Open field test,rotarod test,Y-maze and novel object recognition test were used to observe the effect of MLKL knockout on cognitive func-tion after tBCCAO.Blood-brain barrier(BBB)disruption was observed by sodium fluorescein permeability test and the expressions of tight junction proteins.Immunoflu-orescence staining and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of microglia marker Iba-1,astro-cyte marker GFAP,and NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling mol-ecules in the hippocampus of CSVD mice.ELISA was used to detect the level of inflammatory factors(TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-18)in hippocampus.RESULTS The expres-sions of RIPK3/MLKL signaling molecules increased in cortex and hippocampus after tBCCAO,especially on day 14.The expression of pMLKL mainly increased in neurons,glia cells and endothelial cells in CSVD mice.MLKL knockout improved the cognitive functions such as motor learning,spatial learning and working memory,and object recognition ability in CSVD mice.MLKL knock-out alleviated the leakage of sodium fluorescein and attenuated the down-regulation of tight junction proteins at 1 d and 14 d after tBCCAO.At 14 d after tBCCAO,MLKL knock out inhibited the activations of microglia and astrocytes,attenuated the expressions of NLRP3/cas-pase-1 molecules,and decreased the levels of inflamma-tory factors in the hippocampus of mice.CONCLUSION Genetic inhibition of MLKL exerts protective effects against cognitive impairment by ameliorating BBB dam-age and neuroinflammation in a mouse cerebral small vessel disease model.

Research advance in changes of brain white matter in cerebral small vessel disease with cognitive impairment / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

With the progress of population aging, cerebral small vessel disease is increasingly becoming a common and frequent disease threatening human health, which is a common reason leaing to cognitive function decline.The changes of white matter, especially white matter hyperintensities, are the most common and typical imaging marker of small cerebral vascular disease.In recent years, a number of studies has found that white matter hyperintensities are associated with cognitive decline.These studies mainly focused on the relationship between white matter hyperintensities and cognitive frailty, and the correlation between the size, location and dynamic evolution of white matter hyperintensities and cognitive impairment of small cerebral vascular disease.Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies also revealed that patients with cognitive impairment of cerebral small vessel disease had abnormal white matter changes and structural network connectivity.Structural network can be used for quantitative analysis because of its good stability.Diffusion tensor imaging and quantitative measurement of multi-dimensional structural network were used qualitatively.It was found that the structural network integrity was damaged, the network connection efficiency was reduced, and the connection was interrupted within the white matter hyperintensity.Big data and artificial intelligence research can make early prediction of white matter hyperintensity and structural networks in patients with cerebral small vessel disease with cognitive impairment.These studies provide a reliable basis for the discovery of abnormal microstructure and network changes in the early stage of white matter hyperintensities in cerebral small vessel disease with cognitive impairment.The paper reviews the research progress of white matter hyperintensity and brain structural network in patients with cognitive impairment of cerebral small vessel disease in recent years, and in order to improve the early diagnosis of the disease and promote the early prevention and treatment.

Roles of NG2 Glia in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease / 神经科学通报·英文版

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is one of the most prevalent pathologic processes affecting 5% of people over 50 years of age and contributing to 45% of dementia cases. Increasing evidence has demonstrated the pathological roles of chronic hypoperfusion, impaired cerebral vascular reactivity, and leakage of the blood-brain barrier in CSVD. However, the pathogenesis of CSVD remains elusive thus far, and no radical treatment has been developed. NG2 glia, also known as oligodendrocyte precursor cells, are the fourth type of glial cell in addition to astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes in the mammalian central nervous system. Many novel functions for NG2 glia in physiological and pathological states have recently been revealed. In this review, we discuss the role of NG2 glia in CSVD and the underlying mechanisms.

Progress on Prevention and Treatment of Cerebral Small Vascular Disease Using Integrative Medicine / 中国结合医学杂志

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a senile brain lesion caused by the abnormal structure and function of arterioles, venules and capillaries in the aging brain. The etiology of CSVD is complex, and disease is often asymptomatic in its early stages. However, as CSVD develops, brain disorders may occur, such as stroke, cognitive dysfunction, dyskinesia and mood disorders, and heart, kidney, eye and systemic disorders. As the population continues to age, the burden of CSVD is increasing. Moreover, there is an urgent need for better screening methods and diagnostic markers for CSVD, in addition to preventive and asymptomatic- and mild-stage treatments. Integrative medicine (IM), which combines the holistic concepts and syndrome differentiations of Chinese medicine with modern medical perspectives, has unique advantages for the prevention and treatment of CSVD. In this review, we summarize the biological markers, ultrasound and imaging features, disease-related genes and risk factors relevant to CSVD diagnosis and screening. Furthermore, we discuss IM-based CSVD prevention and treatment strategies to stimulate further research in this field.

Cerebral blood flow autoregulation and cerebrovascular reactivity in patients with cerebral small vessel disease and depression / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To investigate the cerebral blood flow autoregulation and cerebrovascular reactivity in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) and depression.Methods:Eighty patients who were treated in Dalian Municipal Central Hospital Affiliated with Dalian University of Technology from May 2020 to may 2021 were selected and divided into observation group and control group according to the existence of depression. Transcranial Doppler sonography combined with standing and lying position test, breath holding test and breath exchange test were used to observe the "w" wave slope, the "w" wave slope, the "w" wave velocity and the "w" wave velocity cerebral blood flow velocity difference, breath holding index, pulsation index (PI) change rate before and after breath holding, resistance index (RI) change rate before and after breath holding, mean velocity (Vm), PI, RI change rate before and after breath exchange. The correlation between depression score and blood flow index was analyzed.Results:There were 38 and 29 patients occurred "w" wave in the control group and observation group respectively, and the rate were 95.0% (38/40) and 72.5% (29/40) respectively ( χ2 = 7.44, P = 0.006). The slope of "w" descending branch of Vm and the slope of "w" ascending branch of Vm in the observation group were smaller than those of the control group respectively: (1.26 ± 0.23) cm/s vs. (2.45 ± 1.00) cm/s, (1.38 ± 0.71) cm/s vs. (2.56 ± 0.77) cm/s, the difference of which had statistical meanings ( P<0.05). The difference of cerebral blood flow velocity of Vm after different positions in the observation group was higher than that in the control group significantly: (7.20 ± 3.07) cm/s vs. (2.93 ± 1.46) cm/s ( P<0.05). The breath holding index PI change rate, RI change rate before and after breath holding test in the observation group were lower than those in the control group statistically: (0.88 ± 0.33)% vs. (1.49 ± 0.27)%, (14.42 ± 9.31)% vs. (21.51 ± 8.79)%, (11.07 ± 1.70)% vs. (15.31 ± 6.73)% ( P<0.05). The change rates of Vm, PI and RI in the observation group before and after ventilation were lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between depression score and "w" wave slope (Vm), breath holding index, Vm change rate before and after ventilation, and a positive correlation between depression score and cerebral blood flow velocity difference (Vm) in supine and upright position with statistical meanings ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Depression could lead to the decline of cerebral blood flow autoregulation and cerebrovascular reactivity in patients with SVD. And with the aggravation of depression, the decline of cerebral blood flow autoregulation and cerebrovascular reactivity in patients with SVD is more serious.

The history, current situation and prospect of lacunar infarct / 中华神经科杂志

The modern concept of lacunar infarct is largely based on the meticulous postmortem work of Fisher from the 1950s to 1970s, which forms the basis of the"lacunar hypothesis". Along with the application of CT or MRI techniques and classification of ischemic stroke subtypes, the lacunar infarct was endowed with the profile of imaging diagnosis and stroke subtypes. Thus, the concept of lacunar infarct has far expanded the initial pathological meanings and the terminology and definitions for lacunar infarct vary widely. In this review, the historical pathological findings and the term evolution of lacunar infarct were systemically reviewed, with a focus toward future directions in the complex entity of lacunar infarct.

Etiological analysis of single small subcortical infarction with different imaging features / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To investigate the etiological mechanism in single small subcortical infarction (SSSI) with different imaging features.Methods:The patients registered in a database of ischemic stroke in the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2016 to December 2019 were analyzed. According to the lowest slice (LS) and the total number of involved slices (TNS) on diffusion-weighted imaging, the SSSI was divided into 3 types: proximal SSSI (pSSSI; LS≤2), distal and large SSSI (dl-SSSI; LS>2, TNS>2) and distal and small SSSI (ds-SSSI; LS>2, TNS≤2). The clinical and imaging features among 3 different lesion patterns were compared by using χ 2 test, Kruskal-Wallis H test and multiple Logistic regression analysis, etc. Results:In the 3 groups of ds-SSSI ( n=205), dl-SSSI ( n=157) and pSSSI ( n=166), the prevalences of parent artery disease (PAD)[10.7% (22/205) , 19.1% (30/157) , 42.8% (71/166), respectively, χ 2=54.89, P<0.001], coronary artery disease [8.3% (17/205), 14.0% (22/157), 16.9%(28/166), respectively, χ 2=6.44, P=0.040] and severe white matter hyperintensities (sWMHs)[58.0% (119/205), 43.3% (68/157), 41.0% (68/166), respectively, χ 2=12.94, P<0.001], the level of serum homocysteine (Hcy)[18.01 (13.54, 25.56), 16.03 (12.50, 21.09), 14.72 (11.12, 19.14) μmol/L, respectively, H=19.36, P<0.001], and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score[2(1, 3), 3(1, 4), 3(2, 6), respectively, H=39.53, P<0.001] showed statistically significant differences. Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with dl-SSSI patients, the lesion pattern of patients with higher proportion of PAD ( OR=3.12, 95% CI 1.86-5.24, P<0.001) was closer to pSSSI; the lesion pattern of patients with higher serum Hcy level ( OR=1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.04, P=0.046) or higher proportion of sWMHs ( OR=1.79, 95% CI 1.12-2.86, P=0.015) was closer to ds-SSSI, and the lesion pattern of patients with higher proportion of PAD ( OR=0.50, 95% CI 0.27-0.93, P=0.029) or higher NIHSS score ( OR=0.84, 95% CI 0.77-0.92, P<0.001) was closer to dl-SSSI. Conclusions:The pathogenesis of ds-SSSI tends to be cerebral small vessel disease. The pathogenesis of pSSSI is related to atherosclerosis. The patients with dl-SSSI have the intermediate characteristics of pSSSI and ds-SSSI and may be unstable.

Altered neurovascular coupling in arteriosclerotic cerebral small vessel disease and the correlation with cognitive function / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To investigate the global and local changes of neurovascular coupling in arteriosclerotic cerebral small vessel disease (aCSVD) and the correlation with cognitive function.Methods:Forty-three patients with confirmed aCSVD from the outpatient department or ward of the Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between June 2020 and June 2021 were enrolled in this study. Meanwhile, 48 healthy subjects were selected as controls. Cognitive evaluation, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and 3D pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging scanning were performed in all subjects. The global cerebral blood flow-regional homogeneity (ReHo) correlation coefficient and the cerebral blood flow/ReHo ratio were used to evaluate global and local neurovascular coupling. Meanwhile, correlations between the cerebral blood flow/ReHo ratio and neuropsychological assessments were explored in aCSVD patients.Results:Global cerebral blood flow-ReHo coupling was decreased in aCSVD patients compared to healthy controls [aCSVD patients: 0.942(0.933, 0.950), healthy controls: 0.947(0.939, 0.954), Z=-2.11, P=0.035]. aCSVD patients showed decreased cerebral blood flow/ReHo ratio in the right lingual gyrus ( t=-4.45, P<0.05) and increased cerebral blood flow/ReHo ratio in the left ( t=4.91, P<0.05) and right ( t=4.72, P<0.05) inferior parietal lobule. Cerebral blood flow/ReHo ratio of the right inferior parietal lobule was negatively correlated with total score ( r=-0.33, P=0.031) and praxis score ( r=-0.43, P=0.004) in Cambridge Cognitive Examination-Chinese Version subitems and positively correlated with scores of Stroop Color Word Test (SCWT)-color ( r=0.33, P=0.032), SCWT-word ( r=0.34, P=0.025) and Trail Making Test-B ( r=0.31, P=0.043) in aCSVD patients. While the cerebral blood flow/ReHo ratio of the right lingual gyrus was negatively correlated with Visual Replicate-Immediate Recall score ( r=-0.36, P=0.017). Conclusion:aCSVD patients showed abnormal global and local neurovascular coupling, which was associated with attention, executive function, and visual space function.

Progress in cerebral venous collagenosis / 中华神经科杂志

Moody and colleagues discovered the presence of venous collagenosis (VC) in periventricular of human brains by pathological study obtained at autopsy in 1995, which was described as a noninflammatory collagenous thickening of venous walls resulting in severe periventricular venous stenosis or occlusion. Due to the lack of specific markers and staining methods, there are few studies of cerebral venous disease, and the pathological features and pathogenesis are still unclear. However, studies have reported that VC is associated with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and Alzheimer′s disease (AD), suggesting that VC may play an important role in exploring and elucidating pathogenesis. The article aims to provide a review of researches on VC pathological features, possible pathogenesis and correlation with CSVD and AD.

Normalize the imaging diagnosis of cerebral small vessel disease / 中华神经科杂志

The diagnosis of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is highly dependent on neuroimaging, and its imaging changes include lacune, lacunar infarction, white matter hyperintensity (WMH), perivascular space (PVS), cerebral microbleed, etc. In previous studies, the definitions of these imaging changes were quite different, resulting in misdiagnosis of lacuna, WMH and PVS. This comment will summarize the clinical, imaging, and pathological characteristics of CSVD, sort out the process and effectiveness of the gradually normalized diagnostic standards, and propose errors that should be avoided, aiming to improve the accuracy and consistency of clinical diagnosis and research.

The grey matter volume and fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation alterations in cerebral small vessel disease patients with subcortical ischemic depression and their relationship with brain derived neurotrophic factor gene polymorphism / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To investigate the relationship between brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene polymorphism and the change of grey matter volume (GMV) and fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) patients with subcortical ischemic depression (SID).Methods:Eighty-seven CSVD patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were enrolled from July 2017 to November 2020 and divided into CSVD-SID group [Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score>10] and CSVD-non - depression group (CSVD-ND group, GDS score≤10) according to GDS. Both GMV and fALFF were calculated based on structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging data, and the interactions between SID diagnosis and BDNF gene on brain function and structure alteration were explored.Results:GMV was significantly increased in the posterior default network (pDMN; such as posterior cingulate gyrus/precuneus and middle temporal gyrus) in the CSVD-SID group compared with the CSVD-ND group. On GMV property, significant interactions between BDNF gene and SID were found in the cuneus ( F=25.50, P<0.001), precuneus lobe ( F=13.61, P<0.001) and cerebellum ( F=17.23, P<0.001). In the aspect of fALFF, the brain functional activity in the superior frontal gyrus was significantly increased in the CSVD-SID group compared with that in the CSVD-ND group (0.363±0.648 vs -0.427±0.514,cluster size=48 voxels, t=5.63, P<0.001). But there was no significant interaction between diagnosis and BDNF genotype on brain function. Conclusions:Both the GMV and fALFF were increased in CSVD-SID, mainly located in the pDMN and frontal lobe. Significant interaction was found between CSVD-SID and BDNF genotype on GMV.

Study on imaging features of asymptomatic cerebral small vessel disease and related factors in the elderly population / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the incidence, neuroimaging features, and related factors for asymptomatic cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD)in the elderly population.Methods:A total of 201 elderly people with no neurological disease history who had undergone brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)examination from October 2019 to August 2020 were enrolled.We calculated the total CSVD score for each participant based on lacunar infarcts(LIs), white matter hyperintensities(WMH), enlarged perivascular spaces(EPVS), and cerebral microbleeds(CMBs)(0-4 points).CSVD neuroimaging features and the correlation between CSVD markers and clinical variables were analyzed.Results:In this study, 133 cases(66.2%)showed MRI features consistent with CSVD.Of whom, LIs were present in 44(21.9%), high-grade PVWMH in 88(43.8%), high-grade DWMH in 30(14.9%), basal ganglia EPVS in 61(30.3%), and CMBs in 92(45.8%).Total CSVD burden score( OR=1.876, 95% CI: 1.045-3.364, χ2=4.441, P=0.035), PVWMH( OR=2.821, 95% CI: 1.517-5.244, χ2=10.752, P=0.001), DWMH( OR=2.130, 95% CI: 1.108-4.092, χ2=5.145, P=0.023), and EPVS( OR=3.258, 95% CI: 1.675-6.334, χ2=12.129, P=0.000)were associated with hypertension.Total CSVD burden score, PVWMH, DWMH, EPVS, and CMB were correlated with increasing age( P<0.05).LIs was positively correlated with PVWMH( b=0.231, P=0.001), DWMH( b=0.247, P=0.000)and EPVS( b=0.215, P=0.001).There was a positive relationship between PVWMH and DWMH( b=0.546, P=0.000)as well as EPVS( b=0.388, P=0.000).DWMH was also positively correlated with EPVS( b=0.357, P=0.000)and CMB( b=0.177, P=0.009). Conclusions:The incidence of asymptomatic CSVD is high in the elderly population.The total CSVD score is a useful measure to evaluate asymptomatic cerebral small vessel disease in the elderly population.Neuroimaging features of asymptomatic CSVD are mainly correlated with age and hypertension.

Correlation between serum VEGF level and white matter hyperintensity and cognitive dysfunction in patients with cerebral small vessel disease / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and white matter high signal and non-dementia vascular cognitive dysfunction in patients with cerebral small vascular disease (CSVD).Methods:Total 106 patients with CSVD who were admitted to the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College from April 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled.They were divided into vascular cognitive impairment no dementia group (VCIND group, n=47) and no vascular cognitive impairment group (N-VCI group, n=59)according to mini-mental assessment scale (MMSE), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scale and activity of daily living scale (ADL). Serum VEGF levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The baseline data, serum VEGF levels, MoCA score and Fazekas score were compared between the two groups.The correlation between serum VEGF level and white matter high signal and cognitive function was analyzed.SPSS 19.0 software was used for data processing.The statistical methods were t-test, Chi square test, nonparametric test, Logistic regression analysis, Pearson correlation analysis and Spearman correlation analysis. Results:There were significant differences in serum VEGF level((464.18±114.58)pg/mL, (414.17±45.80)pg/mL, F=22.880), MoCA score((13.07±6.48), (20.17±4.06), F=17.920) and Fazekas score (4(3, 5), 3(1, 3), Z=-4.189)between the two groups (all P<0.05). The level of VEGF( β=0.008, OR=1.008, 95% CI=1.001-1.015, P<0.05) was the influencing factor of cognitive function in patients with CSVD .The level of VEGF was negatively correlated with the total score of MoCA, attention and calculation power, and orientation ability ( r=-0.345, -0.373, -0.445, all P<0.05) and it was positively correlated with the total Fazekas score and the Fazekas score of paraventricular and deep white matter ( r=0.392, 0.495, 0.302, all P<0.05). There was a linear trend between the high signal grade of paraventricular and deep white matter and VCIND (both P<0.05). Conclusion:Serum VEGF level is correlated with cognitive function and white matter hyperintensity in patients with CSVD.The increase of VEGF level may be a factor reflecting cognitive dysfunction.In addition, with the increase of white matter hyperintensity level, the risk of VCIND in CSVD is increased.

Visual attention impairment in patients with cerebral small vessel disease: an event-related potential P3 study / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To investigate the value of event-related potential (ERP) P3 in the assessment of visual attention impairment in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD).Methods:Twenty-five patients with CSVD diagnosed in the Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from July 2019 to December 2020 were selected as the CSVD group, while 25 healthy subjects who underwent physical examination in the same period were selected as the control group.The neuropsychological evaluation of CSVD group and control group was carried out by Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), 7-items generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7) and patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Magnetic resonance imaging brain white matter high signal of CSVD group and control group was carried out by Fazekas score.The amplitude and latency of ERP component P3 were measured by visual tristimulation Oddball experimental paradigm.SPSS 23.0 software was used for statistical analysis.The differences of amplitude and latency between the two groups were compared by repeated measurement analysis of variance.Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis were used to explore the correlation between P3 amplitude, latency and related scale scores.Results:(1)In the amplitude of P3, the interaction effect between group and stimulation was significant( F(2, 96)=3.922, P=0.023). The main effect between groups was significant( F(1, 46)=15.976, P<0.01). The main effect of stimulation was significant( F(2, 96)=86.212, P<0.01). Further simple effect analysis showed that compared with the control group((9.82±5.14)μV, (11.12±4.72)μV) the P3 amplitude induced by target stimulation ((6.59±4.22)μV, F(1, 48)=7.363, P=0.009) and novel stimulation ((7.08±3.91)μV, F(1, 48)=13.907, P=0.001) in CSVD group decreased significantly.(2)In the latency of P3, the main effect between groups was significant( F(1, 48)=4.870, P=0.032). The main effect of stimulation was significant( F(2, 96)=86.212, P<0.01). The interaction effect between group and stimulation was significant( F(2, 96)=4.561, P=0.013). The main effect of stimulation was significant( F(2, 96)=16.299, P<0.01). Further simple effect analysis showed that the P3 latency induced by novel stimulation in CSVD group was longer than that in control group( F(1, 48)=17.124, P<0.01). (3)P3 amplitude induced by target stimulation was positively correlated with MoCA score ( r=0.255, P=0.027). The P3 amplitude ( r=-0.502, P<0.01) and P3 latency ( r=-0.265, P=0.022) induced by novel stimulation were negatively correlated with Fazekas score. Conclusion:The speed and ability of patients with CSVD to process visual spatial information are impaired, especially for rare stimulation.ERP examination may be a rapid, objective and sensitive method for the diagnosis of visual attention impairment in patients with CSVD.

Research progress in atrial fibrillation with cerebral small vessel disease / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Non-valvular atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia and a major risk factor for cardioembolic stroke. Small cerebral vascular disease is a syndrome of clinical, cognitive, imaging, and pathological manifestations caused by intracranial small vascular lesions. The imaging findings on cranial magnetic resonance usually shows recent subcortical small infarction, vascularised lacunae, white matter hypersignal, perivascular space enlargement, cerebral microhemorrhage, and brain atrophy. It is a major cause of neurological loss and cognitive function decline in the elderly. Current studies suggest that atrial fibrillation may increase the imaging load of cerebral small vessel disease through a series of mechanisms such as microembolization, hypoperfusion, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and lymphoid system dysfunction. The imaging of cerebral small vessel disease with atrial fibrillation has a potential relationship with cognitive function decline and is related to the occurrence and prognosis of stroke, even more has a potential role in suggesting the etiology and secondary prevention strategies of ischemic stroke.

Research progress of correlation between retinal microangiopathopathy and cerebral small vessel disease / 中华神经科杂志

In recent years, cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) has brought great challenges to society and family, and has attracted increasing attention. Early detection and prevention of CSVD is of great significance. Retinal microvasculature is the only terminal blood vessel that can be observed in vivo and can be used as a portal for observation of brain small vessel-related diseases. In this paper, pathophysiology, quantitative and qualitative analysis were used to review the correlation between fundus lesions and CSVD, and further explore the future research direction.

High-temperature requirement A serine peptidase 1-related cerebral small vessel disease / 中华神经科杂志

The high-temperature requirement A serine peptidase 1 (HTRA1) gene mutation results in cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy and autosomal dominant cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). This article described the definition, clinical features, magnetic resonance imaging manifestations, genetic and pathological examinations and treatment plans of HTRA1 related CSVD and highlighted the distinction between HTRA1 related CSVD and other inherited disorders with white matter involvement, and proposed a diagnostic pathway for timely recognition of HTRA1 related CSVD in a routine clinical environment. Ultimately, in addition to the conventional treatment of CSVD, effective targeted treatment methods still need to be established.

Association between small diffusion-weighted imaging hyperintensities lesions and total cerebral small vessel disease burden and the influence on prognosis in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To investigate the associations between small diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) hyperintensities lesions and total cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) burden and the influence on prognosis in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).Methods:Consecutive patients with acute spontaneous ICH from January 2018 to June 2021 were recruited in the Stroke Center of Zhengzhou People′s Hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to quantify DWI hyperintensities lesions and cSVD imaging markers, including white matter hyperintensities, enlarged perivascular spaces, lacunes and cerebral microbleeds, which were calculated for the total cSVD burden (0-4 points). The prognosis was assessed with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge and 90-day. Multivariable Logistic regression models were adopted to explore the associations between DWI lesions and total cSVD burden and clinical outcome.Results:Of 283 included patients, 59 (20.8%) had small DWI lesions, 32 (11.3%) had multiple lesions. They were mostly punctate, mainly located in the cortical and subcortical regions, and scattered in multiple vascular territories. With the increase of cSVD burden, the number of DWI lesions gradually increased. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the total cSVD burden was positively correlated with the number of DWI lesions ( r=0.21, P<0.001). In multivariable regression analyses, the total cSVD burden was independently associated with DWI lesions ( OR=1.63, 95% CI 1.23-2.15, P=0.001). The 90-day poor outcome (mRS scores≥4) in patients with DWI lesions was significantly higher than those without DWI lesions (39.3% vs 16.3%, χ 2=14.38, P<0.001), while there was no statistically significant difference in the poor outcome of discharge between the two groups (26.5% vs 17.7%, χ 2=3.06, P=0.080). With the increase in the number of DWI lesions, the 90-day poor outcome increased significantly (trend chi-squared test χ 2=11.50, P=0.001). Multivariable analyses showed that DWI lesions ( OR=4.39, 95% CI 1.92-10.03, P<0.001) and their number ( OR=1.42, 95% CI 1.06-1.90, P=0.018) were independently associated with the 90-day poor outcome. Conclusions:Higher total cSVD burden is an independent risk factor for small DWI lesions in patients with ICH. Small DWI lesions were independently associated with the 90-day poor outcome, but not with the discharge outcome.

Research progress on correlation of intestinal flora and its metabolites with small vascular disease in adult population / 中华老年医学杂志

Cerebral small vessel disease is common in elderly patients, and its main pathological change is small vessel dysfunction.In addition to common stroke events, the clinical manifestations can also be manifested as cognitive dysfunction.The intestinal flora of elderly patients with small vascular disease often changes, and the relevant altered metabolites can participate in the occurrence and development of small vascular disease through inflammatory response, immune response and changes in blood brain barrier permeability.Understanding the research progress of intestinal flora and its metabolites in small vascular disease can provide theoretical basis for the intervention of intestinal flora in patients with small vascular disease.