scholarly journals The Association between Cerebral White Matter Lesions and Plasma Omega-3 to Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Ratio to Cognitive Impairment Development

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michihiro Suwa ◽  
Shigeru Yamaguchi ◽  
Tsuyoshi Komori ◽  
Sachiko Kajimoto ◽  
Masaya Kino

Objective. Cerebral white matter hyperintensity (WMH) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a potential for predicting cognitive impairment. Serum polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels are important for evaluating the extent of atherosclerosis. We investigated whether abnormal PUFA levels affected WMH grading and cognitive function in patients without significant cognitive impairment.Methods. Atherosclerotic risk factors, the internal carotid artery (ICA) plaque, and serum ratios of eicosapentaenoic to arachidonic acids (EPA/AA) and docosahexaenoic to arachidonic acids (DHA/AA) were assessed in 286 patients. The relationship among these risk factors, WMH, and cognitive function was evaluated using WMH grading and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).Results. The development of WMH was associated with aging, hypertension, ICA plaques, and a low serum EPA/AA ratio (<0.38, obtained as the median value) but was not related to dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, and a low serum DHA/AA ratio (<0.84, obtained as the median value). In addition, the MMSE score deteriorated slightly with the progression of WMH (29.7 ± 1.0 compared to 28.4 ± 2.1,P<0.0001).Conclusions. The progression of WMH was associated with a low serum EPA/AA ratio and accompanied minimal deterioration in cognitive function. Sufficient omega-3 PUFA intake may be effective in preventing the development of cognitive impairment.

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 1129-1139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jules J. Claus ◽  
Mirthe Coenen ◽  
Salka S. Staekenborg ◽  
Jacqueline Schuur ◽  
Caroline E.M. Tielkes ◽  
...  

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 494-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Sierra ◽  
Antonio Coca

Although the pathogenesis and clinical significance of cerebral white matter lesions remain controversial, it is well established that age and hypertension are the most important factors related to the presence of these lesions. Hypertension is known to be the most important factor for developing stroke and vascular dementia. In addition, the presence of cerebral white matter lesions is an important prognostic factor for the development of stroke, and also for cognitive impairment and dementia. The mechanisms underlying hypertension-related cognitive changes are complex and are not yet fully understood. Correlations between cerebral white matter lesions and elevated blood pressure provide indirect evidence that structural and functional changes in the brain over time may lead to lowered cognitive functioning when blood pressure control is poor or lacking.Some authors have suggested that the presence of white matter lesions in hypertensive patients could be considered an early marker of brain damage.


2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael E. Devine ◽  
J. Andres Saez Fonseca ◽  
Zuzana Walker

ABSTRACTBackground: Cerebral white matter lesions (WML), evident on CT and MRI brain scans, are histopathologically heterogeneous but associated with vascular risk factors and thought mainly to indicate ischemic damage. There has been disagreement over their clinical prognostic value in predicting conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia.Methods: We scrutinised and rated CT and MRI brain scans for degree of WML in a memory clinic cohort of 129 patients with at least 1 year of follow-up. We examined the relationship between WML severity and time until conversion to dementia for all MCI patients and for amnestic (aMCI) and non-amnestic (naMCI) subgroups separately.Results: Five-year outcome data were available for 87 (67%) of the 129 patients. The proportion of patients converting to dementia was 25% at 1 year and 76% at 5 years. Patients with aMCI converted to dementia significantly earlier than those with naMCI. WML severity was not associated with time to conversion to dementia for either MCI patients in general or aMCI patients in particular. Among naMCI patients, there was a tendency for those with a low degree of WML to survive without dementia for longer than those with a high degree of WML. However, this was not statistically significant.Conclusions: MCI subtype is a significant independent predictor of conversion to dementia, with aMCI patients having higher risk than naMCI for conversion throughout the 5-year follow-up period. WML severity does not influence conversion to dementia for aMCI but might accelerate progression in naMCI.


2006 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Martinez-Vea ◽  
Esther Salvadó ◽  
Alfredo Bardají ◽  
Cristina Gutierrez ◽  
Ana Ramos ◽  
...  

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