title: White matter lesions in the elderly: pathophysiological hypothesis on the effect on brain plasticity and reserve.
abstract: The effect of white matter lesions (WMLs) on the brain of elderly individuals is unclear. Most debate has focused on the clinical effect of WMLs on cognitive impairment. Large cross-sectional and longitudinal clinic- and population-based studies suggest that the effect of WMLs on global cognitive performance is relatively small, only individuals with the most severe degrees of WMLs having clinically relevant effects. Here, we review recent data suggesting that WMLs might affect brain function through impairment of brain plasticity and reserve. The clinical effect consists in inability of the brain to respond to interventions such as psychotropic drug medications or rehabilitative interventions.
authors.affiliation: LENITEM-Laboratory of Epidemiology Neuroimaging & Telemedicine, IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galluzzi
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lanni
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pantoni
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Filippi
authors.forename: Giovanni B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Frisoni
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*