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SHR Neuro Krebs Kardio Lipid Stoffw Microb

Leitner, M; Pirpamer, L; Hofer, E; Ropele, S; Pasternak, O; Schmidt, R; Koini, M.
Free Water as a Marker of Early Small Vessel Disease in Healthy Aging.
Eur J Neurol. 2025; 32(3):e70094 Doi: 10.1111/ene.70094 [OPEN ACCESS]
Web of Science PubMed PUBMED Central FullText FullText_MUG

 

Führende Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz
Koini Marisa
Leitner Manuel
Co-Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz
Hofer Edith
Pirpamer Lukas
Ropele Stefan
Schmidt Reinhold
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Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Brain aging is associated with cerebrovascular changes and related microstructural pathology. In this context, research indicates that small vessel disease (SVD) is characterized by increases in extracellular free water (FW). METHODS: We examined 94 individuals with early signs of small vessel disease (eSVD; Mage = 69.47 years, SDage = 8.27; 59.6% female) and 94 age-matched controls (CON; Mage = 70.80 years, SDage = 8.59, 59.6% female). Individuals with eSVD were defined by having a white matter hyperintensity (WMH) score ≥ 2 or showing the presence of lacunes or microbleeds. We examined differences in the diffusion MRI measures between both groups. In addition, we assessed the association between age and the diffusion MRI measures averaged across the entire normal-appearing white matter (NAWM). To test if FW mediates the association of FW-uncorrected DTI measures and age, we applied simple mediation models. RESULTS: Differences between individuals with eSVD and CON were identified for FW in NAWM and FW-uncorrected DTI, but not for FW-corrected DTI measures. Both FW and FW-uncorrected DTI measures in NAWM were significantly associated with age across the total sample (rrange = -0.24 to 0.44) and across each group (rrange = -0.36 to 0.48). In addition, the association between FW-uncorrected DTI measures and age was mediated by FW. CONCLUSIONS: Even in subjects with subtle, clinically silent, cerebral white matter changes, increases in FW could be observed compared to individuals without those changes. Therefore, FW might act as a sensitive marker at the earliest signs of SVD.
Find related publications in this database (using NLM MeSH Indexing)
Humans - administration & dosage
Female - administration & dosage
Male - administration & dosage
Aged - administration & dosage
Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases - diagnostic imaging, pathology
Middle Aged - administration & dosage
Healthy Aging - administration & dosage
White Matter - diagnostic imaging, pathology
Diffusion Tensor Imaging - administration & dosage
Aged, 80 and over - administration & dosage
Biomarkers - administration & dosage
Water - metabolism
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging - administration & dosage
Brain - diagnostic imaging, pathology

Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
diffusion tensor imaging
free water
healthy aging
marker
small vessel disease
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