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These small regions of high intensity are observed on T2 weighted MRI images (typically created using 3D FLAIR) within cerebral white matter (white matter lesions, white matter hyperintensities or WMH) [1] [2] or subcortical gray matter (gray matter hyperintensities or GMH). The volume and frequency is strongly associated with increasing age. [2]
Head CT showing periventricular white matter lesions. Leukoaraiosis is a particular abnormal change in appearance of white matter near the lateral ventricles. It is often seen in aged individuals, but sometimes in young adults. [1] [2] On MRI, leukoaraiosis changes appear as white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in T2 FLAIR images.
Binswanger's disease, also known as subcortical leukoencephalopathy and subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy, [1] is a form of small-vessel vascular dementia caused by damage to the white brain matter. [2] White matter atrophy can be caused by many circumstances including chronic hypertension as well as old age. [3]
Seizures and delays in motor development are also prevalent. Additionally, mild mental retardation can be observed. Patients often exhibit diffuse swelling of the cerebral white matter and large subcortical cysts in the frontal and temporal lobes, with cysts developing on the tips of the temporal and subcortical areas.
The gray matter remains normal in all characteristics while the white matter changes texture, becoming soft and gelatinous. Rarefaction of the white matter is seen through light microscopy and the small number of axons and U-fibers that were affected can also be seen. Numerous small cavities in the white matter are also apparent.
White matter is the tissue through which messages pass between different areas of grey matter within the central nervous system. The white matter is white because of the fatty substance (myelin) that surrounds the nerve fibers (axons). This myelin is found in almost all long nerve fibers, and acts as an electrical insulation.
White matter lesions, proposed to be a causal risk factor, are common in the elderly and are associated with age. [3] Depression and cerebrovascular risk factors are also common in later life. [3] These factors make it difficult to determine what is the causal factor and to tease apart normal functioning from abnormal in the elderly population.
The area where it is seen to be the most pronounced abnormalities appear in the white matter below the pre- and postcentral gyri that extend through the posterior limb of the internal capsule into pyramidal tracts of the brain stem. [5] The corpus callosum is variably affected. Reactive astrocytes and macrophages are present, but no ...