Cerebral small vessel disease and vascular cognitive impairment

Quinn, T. J. , Makin, S., Doubal, F. and Staals, J. (2019) Cerebral small vessel disease and vascular cognitive impairment. In: Touyz, R. M. and Delles, C. (eds.) Textbook of Vascular Medicine. Springer: Cham, pp. 449-459. ISBN 9783030164805 (doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-16481-2_42)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

The term ‘cerebral small vessel disease’ is used to describe a variety of pathological, neuroradiological and clinical phenotypes that result from processes affecting the small vessels of the brain. The most prevalent pathological type is arteriolosclerosis, a strongly age- and hypertension-related process. In clinical and research practice, we assess cerebral small vessel disease using neuroimaging. The standardised classification system includes recent small subcortical infarcts, white matter hyperintensities, lacunes, cerebral microbleeds, enlarged perivascular spaces and more generalised processes such as brain atrophy. Clinical symptoms can be acute, for example, lacunar stroke, or more chronic and progressive. A syndrome that includes some or all of cognitive decline, depression, gait disorder and urinary incontinence is often seen. Evidence-based interventions are lacking. Prevention is mainly targeted at common vascular risk factors, particularly hypertension. Finding novel modifiable risk factors or potential interventions is a focus of contemporary research.

Item Type:Book Sections
Status:Published
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Makin, Dr Stephen and Quinn, Professor Terry
Authors: Quinn, T. J., Makin, S., Doubal, F., and Staals, J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
Publisher:Springer
ISBN:9783030164805
Published Online:03 August 2019

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record