Release date: 2009-03-17
The human body is not only loose in the bones, but also in the brain. More precisely, it's the white matter that becomes affected. According to the Department of Neurology at Nanjing General Hospital, severe leukoaraiosis can lead to a significant decline in cognitive function—what many refer to as Alzheimer’s disease. In standard brain imaging, the central area usually appears as a bright oval, resembling an irregular egg where the ventricles are located, surrounded by gray matter. However, in some cases, you might notice white areas outside this bright region, sometimes even forming large patches around the ventricles. To the untrained eye, it may look like the brain has been "cracked" or "hollowed out." If such patterns appear on an imaging test, it could be a sign of leukoaraiosis.
Professor Liu Xinfeng, head of the Neurology Department at Nanjing General Hospital, explains that the brain consists of gray and white matter. Gray matter contains neurons, while white matter is made up of nerve fibers. These two components work together to form the brain. When there is damage to the white matter, it can affect cognitive function. "Increasingly, research shows that white matter changes are closely linked to cognitive decline," Liu says.
In a two-year study, researchers followed 74 patients over the age of 55 who had mild cognitive impairment—such as memory loss lasting more than three months and lower-than-normal test scores, but not severe enough for a dementia diagnosis. After ruling out other causes, they performed brain imaging scans and found that 33 of them showed signs of leukoaraiosis. Over time, 9 out of the 41 patients without leukoaraiosis progressed to dementia (a 22% rate), while 15 out of the 33 with leukoaraiosis developed dementia (a 45% rate). This indicates that leukoaraiosis significantly increases the risk of dementia and may act as an independent risk factor for Alzheimer’s.
Leukoaraiosis is often linked to poor cerebral blood flow and is associated with cerebrovascular diseases. Professor Liu notes that individuals with more than two risk factors—such as smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, or advanced age—are likely to show leukoaraiosis on imaging. Early detection through simple brain scans allows for timely intervention.
For those at higher risk, managing underlying conditions like hypertension and diabetes is crucial. Keeping blood sugar and blood pressure under control, reducing vascular inflammation, and using medications like aspirin under medical supervision can help prevent further damage. Additionally, engaging in cognitive training exercises may slow down the progression of cognitive decline.
By staying proactive and aware, people can take steps to protect their brain health and reduce the risk of developing serious cognitive disorders. Meditech Medical Network
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