Clinical study of cerebral small vessel disease

Abstract

Ageing and hypertension are the main causes of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) known until today. Endothelial dysfunction, rupture of blood-brain barrier (BBB) and protein elimination failure angiopathy have become important in its pathophysiology. The main objectives of the study are identify the clinical risk profile and biomarkers of cognitive impairment (A 1-40), endothelial dysfunction (sTWEAK) and extracellular matrix dysfunction (MMPs) associated with initial phases or with the development of SVD. A prospective study was designed including long time hypertensive and diabetic patients with age between 60-75 years. Cognitive and neuroradiological evaluation were done; and ELISA tests were performed to determinate the serum concentration of sTWEAK, AB1-40, TIMP1, MMP-1, MMP-10, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-12, MMP-13 and MMP-3. Main results were bad clinical control of hypertension is the main factor associated with progression of SVD; sTWEAK, MMP7, MMP9 and AB 1-40 could be potential biomarkers related with progression of SVD.