International Psychogeriatrics
Volume 15, Supplement 1 - 2003

Vascular Burden of the White Matter
ARNE BRUN

ABSTRACT. In cerebrovascular disease of all kinds, the white matter bears a heavy burden—particularly in the early and late periods of life. The infarcts are of the complete and incomplete type, the latter accompanying and extending the white-matter damage of the former. Complete infarcts are mainly caused by vascular occlusions. Incomplete infarcts are mainly due to hypoperfusion, wherein pathogenic factors are, above all, different types of angiopathies leading to an inadequate autoregulatory response in the event of an episodic or more longstanding hypotension, acting as an etiological factor through hypoperfusion. There is growing consensus that white-matter lesions affect brain function. Correlation with symptoms and understanding of mechanisms behind the lesions would gain from more precise diagnostics as to tracts involved.

KEYWORDS: Brain; white matter; cerebrovascular disease; incomplete infarcts;
hypotension; hypoperfusion