Measures of vascular function influence the number and volume of white matter hyperintensities in older, hypertensive subjects

Damage to the deep white matter of the brain has been shown to correlate with hypertension and advanced age. However, the changes in the cerebral microvasculature that cause white matter lesions are unclear. Increased blood pressure causes morphological changes in cerebral vessels, and impaired vascular function and neurovascular coupling is a potential factor. Here, we demonstrate that age, central pulse pressure, and dual-echo MRI measures of CBF, CVR, CMRO2 and OEF influence the number and volume of white matter hyperintensities.