What Are White Matter Lesions?
White matter lesions are small areas of dead cells found in parts of the brain that act as connectors. Minor cases are commonly found in the brains of people over 65 years old, apparently a normal result from aging. Age is not the only factor, however. They also appear in some cases of migraine headaches, particularly acute cases, and in the brains of those who have suffered strokes or have progressive neurological diseases – such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s – that cause the brain and central nervous system to degenerate.
While it is not clear that white matter lesions directly cause brain dysfunction, they are at least good indicators. There is a clear connection between lesions and a decrease in brain volume, loss of memory and vision, and the ability to understand concepts. Studies have found that Alzheimer’s patients with a greater area of white matter lesions are likely to advance in the disease more rapidly. Larger patches of white matter lesions result in slower walking as well.
The brain’s white matter transmits signals between areas of the brain that process information, known as gray matter. It is very common for two distinct parts of the brain to work simultaneously to perform basic functions. When white matter dies, vital communication between two collaborating areas of gray matter slows and can even stop. White matter brain cells are actually pink, but received their name because they become white when set in formaldehyde. White matter lesions coincidentally also appear as patches of white, or a very light gray, on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans.
Scientists are still unclear about all of the exact causes of white matter lesions. Doctors are relatively sure that high blood pressure leads to the demise of white matter in the brain. Cerebral vasculitis, the inflammation of blood vessels in the brain, also appears to be a likely factor, as does hardening of the arteries, especially the aortic artery.
White matter lesions do not heal, though there is a wide variation in how much they advance in people’s brains once the lesions are spotted. There is some evidence that prevention is possible, although studies have shown that some people are genetically more likely to get white matter lesions. Controlling blood pressure appears to have an effect on limiting lesions. Eating Omega 3 fatty acids, found in many types of fish and some nuts, also helps with prevention.
Written by Michael Humphrey
