Pathophysiological mechanism of white matter hyperintensities in patients with hypertension

As one of the imaging manifestations of cerebral small vessel disease, white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are very common in the elderly, and are closely related to motor dysfunction and cognitive impairment in the elderly. Due to the large pathological heterogeneity of WMHs, the current understanding and research on its occurrence and development mechanism is limited, so its prevention and treatment is still a difficult problem. Studies have shown that age and hypertension are the major risk factors for WMHs. This article reviews the effects of hypertension on WMHs and their progression and pathophysiological mechanisms, with a view to finding new strategies for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of WMHs. Key words: Leukoaraiosis; Hypertension; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Blood-Brain Barrier