Life Sciences Commons^™

White Matter Hyperintensities In Vascular Contributions To Cognitive Impairment And Dementia (Vcid): Knowledge Gaps And Opportunities, Jessica Alber, Suvarna Alladi, Hee-Joon Bae, David A. Barton, Laurel A. Beckett, Joanne M. Bell, Sara E. Berman, Geert Jan Biessels, Sandra E. Black, Isabelle Bos, Gene L. Bowman, Emanuele Brai, Adam M. Brickman, Brandy L. Callahan, Roderick A. Corriveau, Silvia Fossati, Rebecca F. Gottesman, Deborah R. Gustafson, Vladimir Hachinski, Kathleen M. Hayden, Alex M. Helman, Timothy M. Hughes, Jeremy D. Isaacs, Angela L. Jefferson, Sterling C. Johnson, Alifiya Kapasi, Silke Kern, Jay C. Kwon, Juraj Kukolja, Athene Lee, Brittani R. Price, Donna M. Wilcock

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are frequently seen on brain magnetic resonance imaging scans of older people. Usually interpreted clinically as a surrogate for cerebral small vessel disease, WMHs are associated with increased likelihood of cognitive impairment and dementia (including Alzheimer's disease [AD]). WMHs are also seen in cognitively healthy people. In this collaboration of academic, clinical, and pharmaceutical industry perspectives, we identify outstanding questions about WMHs and their relation to cognition, dementia, and AD. What molecular and cellular changes underlie WMHs? What are the neuropathological correlates of WMHs? To what extent are demyelination and inflammation present? Is it helpful to …