White matter of the brain: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (2024)

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White matter of the brain: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia? ›

White matter is found in the deeper tissues of the brain (subcortical). It contains nerve fibers (axons), which are extensions of nerve cells (neurons). Many of these nerve fibers are surrounded by a type of sheath or covering called myelin.

Older patients with small punctate cerebral vascular white matter lesions are usually asymptomatic, but they progress to large confluent lesions and can present with subtle functional decline, cognitive impairment, dementia, urinary incontinence, gait and balance impairment, and neuropsychiatric disorders.

The life expectancy of a person with white matter disease depends on many factors, including the specific type, the rate at which it progresses, and the complications it causes. Research has suggested a link between white matter disease of an unknown cause and the risk of stroke and dementia.

White matter, on the other hand, responds mainly to a steady diet of healthy fats, because brain matter is made up of fats. If you are out for dinner, dump dark green olive oil all over your meal. Or go for other sources of wonderful fats: cold water fish, organic nut butters, coconut and avocados.

Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) has been associated with lower incidence of dementia. Higher MedDiet scores were associated with lower white matter lesion volume.

Age-related white matter disease is progressive, meaning it can get worse. But you can take steps to stop it from spreading. Scientists think you might even be able to repair the damage, if you catch it early. Keep your blood pressure and blood sugar in check.

The prognosis of white matter disease varies. MS is not a fatal disease. By managing the MS and co-occurring conditions, life expectancy may be only slightly shorter. Vascular dementia generally is associated with a reduced life expectancy after diagnosis.

White matter disorders are often included in the subcortical dementias, alternatively known as frontal-subcortical dementias (Bonelli and Cummings, 2008), but uncertainty lingers about the importance of white matter damage in producing neurobehavioral effects, and demented patients with white matter lesions are ...

White matter injuries are very serious, but, depending on the type and extent of the injury, extensive recovery may occur. As long as the neuron cell bodies remain healthy, axons can regrow and slowly repair themselves.

Can white matter disease cause personality changes? ›

White matter diseases presenting with psychosis can yield important insights into the neurobiology of psychosis. Less significant evidence has associated white matter lesions, mainly frontal and temporal, with personality changes.

Several lines of evidence have reported white matter dysfunction in psychiatric conditions, including depression, stress- and anxiety-related disorders.

Cerebral white matter lesions (WML) are common in the aging brain and are associated with dementia and depression.

The walking group also had more of a change in their white matter, although both walkers and dancers showed an improvement in this area. It was found that after the six months, parts of their brain had grown larger, and there was a decrease in the tissue lesions, which are a sign of brain damage.

While gray matter is a common focus in topics of brain structure, white matter also plays a critical role in helping the body process information. It connects regions that send and receive signals, affecting the ability to focus and learn, solve problems, and stay balanced when walking.

White matter disease is commonly detected on brain MRI of aging individuals as white matter hyperintensities (WMH), or 'leukoaraiosis.” Over the years it has become increasingly clear that the presence and extent of WMH is a radiographic marker of small cerebral vessel disease and an important predictor of the life- ...

White matter disorders are often included in the subcortical dementias, alternatively known as frontal-subcortical dementias (Bonelli and Cummings, 2008), but uncertainty lingers about the importance of white matter damage in producing neurobehavioral effects, and demented patients with white matter lesions are ...

Sometimes, a white spot can go away after treatment for a condition like an infection or brain tumor. The spots may also temporarily get smaller and worsen later. This is often the case with chronic inflammatory conditions such as lupus or MS that flare up and then improve.

In prospective studies, small white matter strokes are associated with progressive cognitive decline [11]. The incidence of subcortical white matter stroke increases with age and is expected to increase in prevalence with the aging population [12].

In contrary to MS, SLE white matter lesions more often exhibit a vascular distribution (Jennekens and Kater, 2002). Another distinction from MS is the bilateral involvement of basal ganglia, with swelling and punctuate enhancement.