Inflammatory proteins and the severity of dilated Virchow-Robin Spaces in the elderly

J Alzheimers Dis. 2013;33(2):323-8. doi: 10.3233/JAD-2012-120874.

Abstract

Recent studies suggest dilated Virchow-Robin Spaces (dVRS) could be a manifestation of cerebral small-vessel disease, but little is known about their risk factors. As inflammation has been associated with other brain MRI findings, we investigated whether interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein were associated with the severity of dVRS in the eldery. dVRS were assessed in basal ganglia and white matter and rated on a severity scale. We found that elevated interleukin-6 levels were associated with higher severity of dVRS in basal ganglia, suggesting that inflammation might be associated with the burden of dVRS in the elderly.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging / pathology
  • Basal Ganglia / blood supply
  • Basal Ganglia / pathology
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / epidemiology
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / immunology
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / pathology
  • C-Reactive Protein / immunology*
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / immunology*
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / epidemiology
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / immunology*
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / pathology
  • Demyelinating Diseases / epidemiology
  • Demyelinating Diseases / immunology
  • Demyelinating Diseases / pathology
  • Dilatation, Pathologic / epidemiology
  • Dilatation, Pathologic / immunology
  • Dilatation, Pathologic / pathology
  • Encephalitis / epidemiology
  • Encephalitis / immunology*
  • Encephalitis / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / immunology*
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Leukoencephalopathies / epidemiology
  • Leukoencephalopathies / immunology
  • Leukoencephalopathies / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Microcirculation / immunology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • IL6 protein, human
  • Interleukin-6
  • C-Reactive Protein