Interaction between hypertension, apoE, and cerebral white matter lesions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs) are frequently found on magnetic resonance imaging scans in both cognitively intact and demented elderly persons. Vascular risk factors, especially hypertension, are related to their presence. However, not every person with vascular risk factors has WMLs, which suggests interaction with other determinants, eg, genetic factors. The epsilon4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (apoE) may be a candidate because this allele is associated with both the vascular risk factors and the consequences (cognitive impairment, dementia) of WMLs. ME... Mehr ...