New white-matter disease risk factors findings from B. Censori and co-authors described

NewsRx.com

11-23-07

Investigators publish new data in the report 'Plasma homocysteine and severe white matter disease.' "The objective of this study was to assess if high total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) levels are a risk factor for severe leukoaraiosis (LA) (see also White-matter Disease Risk Factors). This case-control study was done in a primary care neurology ward and included 178 consecutive patients," scientists in Bergamo, Italy report.

"Patients with severe LA at CT scan were compared with patients without any LA regarding age, cerebrovascular risk factors, tHcy, vitamin B12, folate, creatinine levels and dementia. Multivariate logistic regression was used to find variables independently associated with severe LA. Age (odds ratio [OR], 1.10 per year; p<0.0001), tHcy (OR, 1.07/micromol/l increase; p=0.045) and hypertension (OR, 2.97; p=0.007) were significantly associated with severe LA. Total homocysteine levels are associated with severe LA independently of other risk factors for cerebrovascular disease," wrote B. Censori and colleagues, .

The researchers concluded: "This may suggest that decreasing tHcy may help preserve the integrity of the brain white matter."

Censori and colleagues published their study in Neurological Sciences (Plasma homocysteine and severe white matter disease. Neurological Sciences, 2007;28(5):259-63).

For additional information, contact B. Censori, Ospedali Riuniti, Dept. of Neurology, Largo Barozzi 1, I-24100, Bergamo, Italy.

The publisher's contact information for the journal Neurological Sciences is: Springer, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA.

Keywords: Italy, Bergamo, White-matter Disease Risk Factors, White-matter Disease.

This article was prepared by Disease Risk Factor Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Disease Risk Factor Week via NewsRx.com.

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