Potential Blood Biomarkers in Age-related Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

Abstract

Cerebral small vessel disease is a general term used to reflect clinical, radiological, or pathological phenomena attributed to small vessels of the brain, including small arteries and arterioles but also capillaries and small veins. Age-related cerebral small vessel disease is one of its most common subtypes, and is related to age and vascular risk factors. The consequences of age-related cerebral small vessel disease are mainly lesions located in the subcortical structures such as lacunar infarcts, white matter lesions, large hemorrhages, and microbleeds, which are an important cause of stroke, dementia, and age-related disability. The causes or pathogenesis underlying these phenotypes are not completely understood, and biomarkers to predict the risk and progression are highly needed. This review aims to summarize recent knowledge regarding potential blood biomarkers in age-related cerebral small vessel disease according to the different mechanisms: endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and beta-amyloid hypothesis. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.