White matter hyperintensities and the surrounding normal appearing white matter are associated with water channel disruption in the oldest old

DISCUSSION: Decreased AQP expression within WMH and proximal NAWM suggest an overwhelmed system wherein water homeostasis is no longer maintained, contributing to WM damage in older individuals.HIGHLIGHTS: Post mortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to characterize the pathology of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and surrounding normal appearing white matter (NAWM). Stained immunohistochemical (IHC) slides from targeted WMH and NAWM samples were digitized and quantified. WMHs and NAWM were associated with inflammation, demyelination, and gliosis. WMHs and NAWM astrocytic changes included decreased AQP1 and AQP4 expression. Abnormal NAWM pathology diminished in severity with increasing distance from WMH.PMID:38629888 | DOI:10.1002/alz.13816
Source: The Journal of Alzheimers Association - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Source Type: research