A heterogeneity and pathogenesis of cerebral small vessel:lessons from hereditary small vessel disease

Osamu Onodera

Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Resource Branch for Brain Disease Research, Center for Bioresource-based Research, Niigata University (1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata-City, Niigata 951-8585, Japan)

Cerebral small vessel disease is a common disorder in the elderly. The findings of hereditarily small vessel disease studies clearly indicate that small vessels diseases have a distinct molecular pathway that is different from that in large vessels. The purpose of this review is to explain the heterogeneity of small vessels and the molecular mechanism for cerebral small vessel disease. The most functional part of the small arteries is the capillary. In the capillary, crosstalk between cell components exists. Among these cell signaling pathways, transforming growth factor-â and platelet-derived growth factor â may contribute to the molecular pathogenesis of small vessel disease. These findings provide useful information for the development of a new therapeutic strategy for small vessel disease.

Address correspondence to Dr. Osamu Onodera, Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Resource Branch for Brain Disease Research, Center for Bioresource-based Research, Niigata University (1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata-City, Niigata 951-8585, Japan)