“White matter hyperintensities (WMHs)” is a term collectively representing hyperintense signals within the white matter onT2-weighted images from conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). While WMHs generally represent a proxy of delayed morphological changes under a chronic cerebral hypoperfusion state, their impact on human cognition remains an issue more than “black and white”.
A wealth of epidemiology studies have revealed that the genesis and risk factors of WMHs vary according to demographics and neurodegenerative disease spectrum, and that WMHs may accumulate before overt cognitive decline and frailty become apparent. This concept has led to attempts to explore relevant neuropsychological deficits when WMHs are first detected. However, WMHs may not always be cognitively detrimental, as they are fairly prevalent among middle-aged subjects with normal cognition. Hence, in-depth discussions specific to each neurological disease are warranted before concluding the general effect of WMHs. The early detection and characterization of WMHs remain a great challenge, and, consequently, there has been substantial research on appropriate tools as biomarkers.
A growing body of evidence suggests that WMHs interplay with upstream or downstream biomarkers, where neurobiochemical interactions could exhibit stage-dependent traits regarding the clinical phenotype. In addition, several lines of research have also identified modifiable physical and environmental factors associated with the formation of WMHs. Disentangling these complex interactions could prove pivotal for the future development of diagnostic imaging and treatment precision.
This Research Topic provides a platform enabling valuable communication across multidisciplinary fields. We highly welcome cross-sectional and longitudinal studies as Original Research and Review articles focusing on, but not limited to, any of the following themes:
• Advanced neuroimaging metrics as an extension to conventional MRI for either clinical or research goals
• Psychometrics with clinical relevancy among subjects with WMHs
• Investigations of risk factors among subjects with WMHs
• Clinical application of blood- and/or cerebrospinal fluid-based biomarkers
“White matter hyperintensities (WMHs)” is a term collectively representing hyperintense signals within the white matter onT2-weighted images from conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). While WMHs generally represent a proxy of delayed morphological changes under a chronic cerebral hypoperfusion state, their impact on human cognition remains an issue more than “black and white”.
A wealth of epidemiology studies have revealed that the genesis and risk factors of WMHs vary according to demographics and neurodegenerative disease spectrum, and that WMHs may accumulate before overt cognitive decline and frailty become apparent. This concept has led to attempts to explore relevant neuropsychological deficits when WMHs are first detected. However, WMHs may not always be cognitively detrimental, as they are fairly prevalent among middle-aged subjects with normal cognition. Hence, in-depth discussions specific to each neurological disease are warranted before concluding the general effect of WMHs. The early detection and characterization of WMHs remain a great challenge, and, consequently, there has been substantial research on appropriate tools as biomarkers.
A growing body of evidence suggests that WMHs interplay with upstream or downstream biomarkers, where neurobiochemical interactions could exhibit stage-dependent traits regarding the clinical phenotype. In addition, several lines of research have also identified modifiable physical and environmental factors associated with the formation of WMHs. Disentangling these complex interactions could prove pivotal for the future development of diagnostic imaging and treatment precision.
This Research Topic provides a platform enabling valuable communication across multidisciplinary fields. We highly welcome cross-sectional and longitudinal studies as Original Research and Review articles focusing on, but not limited to, any of the following themes:
• Advanced neuroimaging metrics as an extension to conventional MRI for either clinical or research goals
• Psychometrics with clinical relevancy among subjects with WMHs
• Investigations of risk factors among subjects with WMHs
• Clinical application of blood- and/or cerebrospinal fluid-based biomarkers
