Cardiovascular Risk Factors Predict the Spatial Distribution of White Matter Hyperintensities

Date

2014-02-04

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Abstract

PURPOSE: Increased volume of brain white matter hyperintensities (WMH) seen on MRI is associated with cardiovascular risk factors; however, WMH have also been attributed to normal aging. Recent studies have suggested that WMH in some brain regions are more strongly associated with specific risk factors. The purpose of this study was to create a map of every individual brain voxel that was significantly associated with risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, hyper-cholesterolemia) as compared to those without each risk factor. The aim of the study is to create a predictive model, which uses the WMH distribution to determine the associated underlying risk factor. METHODS: The MRI brain images used for analysis were obtained from 2066 participants in the Dallas Heart Study, a population based study. Each MRI brain was transformed onto a standard template that adjusts for participant variation in brain volume and shape, using the FSL SIENAX software. The participant's WMH distributions were then generated from their MRIs using an automated algorithm. For each risk factor, the subjects were divided into a case group and a control group. Each voxel of WMH was compared between the two groups using a two tailed nonparametric permutation test. A map of every voxel significantly associated with each risk factor was created. RESULTS: Of the total of 431891 voxels that comprise the distribution of WMH over the entire population, 26064 voxels (6%) were significantly associated with hypertension only. These hypertensive-associated voxels were prevalent anterior to the frontal horns of the lateral ventricles. Similarly, 22527 voxels (5%) were associated with diabetes only with a prevalence near the longitudinal cerebral fissure as well as lateral to the posterior horns of the lateral ventricles. 8088 voxels (2%) were associated with hyper-cholesterolemia only and were abundant posterior to the posterior horns of the lateral ventricles. 331588 voxels (77%) were not associated with a risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: For hypertension, diabetes, and hyper-cholesterolemia, certain voxels were significantly associated with a risk factor, and maps of these voxels were created. Knowing the WMH distribution significantly associated with each risk factor will improve the specificity for evaluating patients for risk factor associated white matter injury. Importantly, this approach makes no a priori assumptions which divide the brain into functional regions or vascular territories.

General Notes

The 52nd Annual Medical Student Research Forum at UT Southwestern Medical Center (Tuesday, February 4, 2014, 3-6 p.m., D1.502)

Table of Contents

Subjects

Clinical Research and Case Reports, Brain, Cardiovascular Diseases, Hypertension, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Risk Factors, White Matter

Citation

Banerjee, S., King, K., McColl, R., Whittemore, A., Hulsey, K., & Peshock, R. (2014, February 4). Cardiovascular risk factors predict the spatial distribution of white matter hyperintensities. Poster session presented at the 52nd Annual Medical Student Research Forum, Dallas, TX. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/2152.5/1654

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