The following is a summary of “Imaging of Angiogenesis in White Matter Hyperintensities,” published in the October 2023 issue of Cardiology by Ding et al.
White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are areas of increased signal intensity on T2‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). WMH penumbra may be a potential target for early intervention in WMHs.
Researchers performed a retrospective study to investigate the relationship between angiogenesis and WMH penumbra in WMHs patients.
The study included 21 patients with Fazekas grade ≥2 confluent WMHs who underwent 68Ga-NOTA-PRGD2 positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging. They analyzed WMH penumbra by creating masks for WMH and seven normal-appearing white matter layers, each dilated 2 mm away from WMH. Group 2 (14 patients) showed higher 68Ga-NOTA-PRGD2 uptake, WMH volume, and serum levels of certain factors compared to Group 1 (7 patients). In Group 2, the 68Ga-NOTA-PRGD2 uptake was notably higher at the border between WMH and normal white matter. Penumbra, defined by fractional anisotropy, was wider in Group 2 (8 mm) than in Group 1 (2 mm). Cerebral blood flow penumbra was 12 mm in both groups. Angiogenesis correlated with reduced cerebral blood flow and microstructure integrity.
The study found evidence of angiogenesis in the WMH penumbra. More research is needed to understand the role of angiogenesis in WMH growth.