title: Volumetric analyses of cerebral white matter hyperintensity lesions on magnetic resonance imaging in a Japanese population undergoing medical check-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To clarify growth patterns, spatial distribution and risk factors of cerebral white matter hyperintensity (WMH) lesions on magnetic resonance imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed volumes of cerebral WMH lesions in those who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging as a hospital-based health check-up in 2012 and 2013 by using a computational quantitative image analysis software (Software for NeuroImage Processing in Experimental Research). After excluding subjects not suitable for volumetric analyses because of pathological brain conditions, a total of 1047 healthy participants (mean age 56.6 years) were included for the analyses. First, the relationship of computational volumetry and conventional qualitative visual evaluation by Shinohara grading was evaluated. Volumes of WMH lesions were analyzed according to age and the different cerebral lobes. Finally, clinical risk factors associated with WMH lesions were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Volumes of WMH lesions were significantly correlated with Shinohara grading (P < 0.001). WMH lesions significantly enlarged with aging (P < 0.001) except for the occipital lobe, especially in participants aged 50 years or older. Age and systolic blood pressure were significantly related to volumes of WMH lesions in all the lobes, whereas diastolic blood pressure was not related only in the occipital lobe.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on computational quantitative volumetric analyses, cerebral WMH lesions increased with age, and were associated with blood pressure. However, the occipital lobe was the only exception to these findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Honda
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noguchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maruyama
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Fuji Brain Institute and Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tamura
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Fuji Brain Institute and Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Isamu
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Fuji Brain Institute and Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sei
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Fuji Brain Institute and Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Takamasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Soga
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Fuji Brain Institute and Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Katsuaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ushiba
authors.affiliation: Department of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Teruyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirano
authors.affiliation: The Center for Comprehensive Care and Research on Memory Disorders, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Aichi, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakurai
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shiokawa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D015331:Cohort Studies; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D066127:White Matter / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: aging; blood pressure; magnetic resonance imaging; occipital lobe; white matter hyperintensity lesions