White matter hyperintensity (WMH) has been found to be related with cognitive and emotional dysfunction. A presumed mechanism is that WMH disrupts the structural connectivity within a large-scale brain network, thereby impairing the brain's ability to integrate the neural processes efficiently. It is not yet clear, what the pattern of brain network disruption relates to WMH and how the brain network disruption induced by WMH has an effect on cognition and emotion performance. Using multi-model magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, we aimed to explore the mechanisms of cognitive decline and depression related with brain network dysfunction in patients with WMH, and to provide objective imaging marker for early diagnosis and prevention of WMH associated cognitive decline and depression.

Inclusion criteria:

1. white matter hyperintensity visible on T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images;
2. age between 35 to 80 years;
3. without stroke lesion (except lacunar infarction) on current diffusion weighted images;
4. without a history of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and head trauma.

Exclusion criteria:

1. white matter lesions of nonvascular origin (immunological-demyelinating, metabolic, toxic, infectious, other);
2. intracranial hemorrhage;
3. with severe head motion on magnetic resonance images

aged patients with white matter hyperintensity