Mapping the neurovascular landscape in aging and dementia: cerebral small vessel disease markers in a multicenter Latin American cohort
Journal
Alzheimer's & Dementia
ISSN
1552-5260
Date Issued
2026-05
Author(s)
Altschuler, Florencia
Castro‐Laguardia, Ana Maria
Canziani, Verónica
O'Byrne, Daniel Franco
Hazelton, Jessica
Migeot, Joaquín
Maito, Marcelo
García, Adolfo M.
Bruno, Martín A.
Magrath, Nahuel
Custodio, Nilton
Ávila‐Funes, José Alberto
Matallana, Diana
Aguillón, David
Santamaria‐García, Hernando
Resende, Elisa
Takada, Leonel
Brusco, Luis Ignacio
Yokoyama, Jennifer S.
Miller, Bruce
Ibáñez, Agustín
Medel, Vicente
Campo, Cecilia Gonzalez
Type
Article
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a key contributor to cognitive impairment and dementia, yet few studies have compared CSVD across dementia variants, particularly in underrepresented populations.
METHODS
In a multicenter cross‐sectional study, we analyzed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers of CSVD, including white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), lacunes, and cerebral microbleeds, along with cardiometabolic risk factors and cognitive performance using regression models in 1675 participants (790 healthy controls, 642 with Alzheimer's disease [AD], and 243 with frontotemporal dementia [FTD]) from six Latin American countries.
RESULTS
AD showed the greatest CSVD burden, whereas FTD exhibited an intermediate profile driven by elevated WMHs. Blood pressure and smoking were the strongest correlates of WMHs, while diabetes was associated with microbleeds. WMH burden was linked to global and domain‐specific cognitive impairment.
DISCUSSION
This first large‐cohort Latin American study identifies WMHs as a key vascular substrate of cognitive impairment, with AD showing the greatest CSVD burden.
Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a key contributor to cognitive impairment and dementia, yet few studies have compared CSVD across dementia variants, particularly in underrepresented populations.
METHODS
In a multicenter cross‐sectional study, we analyzed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers of CSVD, including white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), lacunes, and cerebral microbleeds, along with cardiometabolic risk factors and cognitive performance using regression models in 1675 participants (790 healthy controls, 642 with Alzheimer's disease [AD], and 243 with frontotemporal dementia [FTD]) from six Latin American countries.
RESULTS
AD showed the greatest CSVD burden, whereas FTD exhibited an intermediate profile driven by elevated WMHs. Blood pressure and smoking were the strongest correlates of WMHs, while diabetes was associated with microbleeds. WMH burden was linked to global and domain‐specific cognitive impairment.
DISCUSSION
This first large‐cohort Latin American study identifies WMHs as a key vascular substrate of cognitive impairment, with AD showing the greatest CSVD burden.