MRI-markers to Monitor Small Vessel Disease Dynamics in the Prognosis of Small Vessel Disease-associated, Cerebrovascular Events

MRI-markers to Monitor Small Vessel Disease Dynamics in the Prognosis of Small Vessel Disease-associated, Cerebrovascular Events - a Prospective Cohort Study

This is a nested cohort study in the PRO-SVD cohort. Small vessel disease is a chronic disease and is thought to progress over time. MRI is the gold standard to diagnose small vessel disease, but data on MRI-visible disease progression are scarce. Complications of small vessel disease as well as location pattern, distribution and severity of these MRI small vessel disease markers differ according to the underlying phenotype. The primary aim of this project is to investigate individual small vessel disease burden progression detected by MRI in survivors or intracerebral hemorrhage.

For patients with intracerebral hemorrhage

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient participating in the PRO-SVD cohort
• Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage
• Written informed consent provided by patient or next-of-kin
• No contraindications against MRI

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient unsuitable for MRI follow-ups (e.g. claustrophobia)
• Patients unlikely to attend 1-year follow-up

For healthy controls

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinically healthy person ≥ 55 years
• Written informed consent provided by the healthy control
• No contraindications against MRI

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known or suspected cerebral small vessel diseases or presence of concurrent diseases potentially mimicking small vessel disease (e.g. multiple sclerosis, previous heart surgery etc.)
• Pre-existing dementia, cognitive decline or disorder of the central nervous system.