CADASIL as a model of cerebral vascular dementia

Ikuko Mizuta, Toshiki Mizuno

Department of Neurology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine

Cognitive impairment in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) represents similar profile with that in sporadic cerebral small vessel disease. Of MRI findings, lacunar infarction, microbleeds, and cortical atrophy, rather than white matter lesion, strongly correlated with cognitive impairment in CADASIL. 7 tesla MRI could detect cortical change earlier than thought. In addition to prevention of lacunar infarction, novel therapeutic approach focusing on cortical lesions may be necessary to prevent dementia caused by small vessel diseases.

Address correspondence to Dr. Ikuko Mizuta, Department of Neurology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (465 Kajii-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan)