PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize recent findings and developments in the field of the relation between white-matter lesions and cognition. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have provided further evidence that white-matter lesions exert a detrimental effect on cognitive profile. New magnetic-resonance techniques may help in clarifying the meaning and extent of this effect. Evidence is also increasing about lesion progression occuring over time, at least in patients with severe white-matter lesions, and this progression is one of the factors related to cognitive decline in the elderly. The need to delay or halt the progression of white-matter lesions has led to clarification of the role of some risk factors and to performance of therapeutic trials where white-matter lesions are used as a surrogate marker for the end point of small-vessel disease. In addition to cognitive effects, white-matter lesions have a role in the decline of other functional performances, and this places individuals with higher-grade lesions at increased risk of developing disability. SUMMARY: White-matter lesions cannot be considered as mere incidental findings, at least in patients who show severe lesions. The pathogenesis of white-matter lesions must be clarified further and strategies found to delay their progression.

The relation between white-matter lesions and cognition / L. Pantoni, A. Poggesi, D. Inzitari. - In: CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROLOGY. - ISSN 1350-7540. - 20:4(2007 Aug), pp. 390-397. [10.1097/WCO.0b013e328172d661]

The relation between white-matter lesions and cognition

L. Pantoni
;
2007

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize recent findings and developments in the field of the relation between white-matter lesions and cognition. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have provided further evidence that white-matter lesions exert a detrimental effect on cognitive profile. New magnetic-resonance techniques may help in clarifying the meaning and extent of this effect. Evidence is also increasing about lesion progression occuring over time, at least in patients with severe white-matter lesions, and this progression is one of the factors related to cognitive decline in the elderly. The need to delay or halt the progression of white-matter lesions has led to clarification of the role of some risk factors and to performance of therapeutic trials where white-matter lesions are used as a surrogate marker for the end point of small-vessel disease. In addition to cognitive effects, white-matter lesions have a role in the decline of other functional performances, and this places individuals with higher-grade lesions at increased risk of developing disability. SUMMARY: White-matter lesions cannot be considered as mere incidental findings, at least in patients who show severe lesions. The pathogenesis of white-matter lesions must be clarified further and strategies found to delay their progression.
aging; cognition; disability; magnetic resonance; white-matter lesions
Settore MED/26 - Neurologia
ago-2007
Article (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/554635
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