U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

Hypointensity of cerebral white matter on MRI

MedGen UID:
866563
Concept ID:
C4020908
Finding
Synonym: White matter hypointensities on MRI
 
HPO: HP:0007103

Definition

A darker than expected signal on magnetic resonance imaging emanating from the cerebral white matter. [from HPO]

Conditions with this feature

Merosin deficient congenital muscular dystrophy
MedGen UID:
224728
Concept ID:
C1263858
Disease or Syndrome
Merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy is an autosomal recessive form of muscular dystrophy characterized by muscle weakness apparent at birth or in the first 6 months of life. Patients show hypotonia, poor suck and cry, and delayed motor development; most never achieve independent ambulation. Most patients also have periventricular white matter abnormalities on brain imaging, but mental retardation and/or seizures occur only rarely (summary by Xiong et al., 2015).
Syndromic X-linked intellectual disability Nascimento type
MedGen UID:
477095
Concept ID:
C3275464
Disease or Syndrome
The Nascimento type of X-linked syndromic intellectual developmental disorder (MRXSN) is characterized by dysmorphic features, including large head, synophrys, prominent supraorbital ridges, almond-shaped and deep-set eyes, large ears, wide mouth, myxedematous appearance, hirsutism, abnormal hair whorls, micropenis, and onychodystrophy. Female carriers have normal cognition, but may show subtle facial features (summary by Budny et al., 2010).
Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome 1
MedGen UID:
1631838
Concept ID:
C4551995
Disease or Syndrome
Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalopathy (MNGIE) disease is characterized by progressive gastrointestinal dysmotility (manifesting as early satiety, nausea, dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux, postprandial emesis, episodic abdominal pain and/or distention, and diarrhea); cachexia; ptosis/ophthalmoplegia or ophthalmoparesis; leukoencephalopathy; and demyelinating peripheral neuropathy (manifesting as paresthesias (tingling, numbness, and pain) and symmetric and distal weakness more prominently affecting the lower extremities). The order in which manifestations appear is unpredictable. Onset is usually between the first and fifth decades; in about 60% of individuals, symptoms begin before age 20 years.
Deafness, congenital, and adult-onset progressive leukoencephalopathy
MedGen UID:
1784506
Concept ID:
C5543087
Disease or Syndrome
Congenital deafness and adult-onset progressive leukoencephalopathy (DEAPLE) is an autosomal recessive complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by congenital neurosensory deafness followed by onset of neurodegenerative symptoms, including pyramidal signs and cognitive decline, in young adulthood. Some patients may have mild developmental delay or learning difficulties in childhood, but most can function independently. The onset of motor and cognitive decline in adulthood can be rapid and may result in early death. Brain imaging shows diffuse white matter abnormalities affecting various brain regions, consistent with a progressive leukoencephalopathy. More variable additional features may include visual impairment and axonal peripheral neuropathy (summary by Scheidecker et al., 2019).

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Ribas GA, de Mori LH, Freddi TAL, Oliveira LDS, de Souza SR, Corrêa DG
Neuroradiol J 2024 Dec;37(6):705-722. Epub 2024 May 4 doi: 10.1177/19714009241252625. PMID: 38703015Free PMC Article
Koskimäki F, Bernard J, Yong J, Arndt N, Carroll T, Lee SK, Reder AT, Javed A
PLoS One 2018;13(12):e0209326. Epub 2018 Dec 21 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209326. PMID: 30576361Free PMC Article
Zivadinov R, Stosic M, Cox JL, Ramasamy DP, Dwyer MG
J Neurol 2008 Mar;255 Suppl 1:61-74. doi: 10.1007/s00415-008-1009-1. PMID: 18317678

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Rahmanzadeh R, Galbusera R, Lu PJ, Bahn E, Weigel M, Barakovic M, Franz J, Nguyen TD, Spincemaille P, Schiavi S, Daducci A, La Rosa F, Absinta M, Sati P, Bach Cuadra M, Radue EW, Leppert D, Kuhle J, Kappos L, Brück W, Reich DS, Stadelmann C, Wang Y, Granziera C
Ann Neurol 2022 Sep;92(3):486-502. Epub 2022 Jul 13 doi: 10.1002/ana.26441. PMID: 35713309Free PMC Article
Sliz E, Shin J, Ahmad S, Williams DM, Frenzel S, Gauß F, Harris SE, Henning AK, Hernandez MV, Hu YH, Jiménez B, Sargurupremraj M, Sudre C, Wang R, Wittfeld K, Yang Q, Wardlaw JM, Völzke H, Vernooij MW, Schott JM, Richards M, Proitsi P, Nauck M, Lewis MR, Launer L, Hosten N, Grabe HJ, Ghanbari M, Deary IJ, Cox SR, Chaturvedi N, Barnes J, Rotter JI, Debette S, Ikram MA, Fornage M, Paus T, Seshadri S, Pausova Z; NeuroCHARGE Working Group
Circulation 2022 Apr 5;145(14):1040-1052. Epub 2022 Jan 20 doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.056892. PMID: 35050683Free PMC Article
Stellingwerff MD, Al-Saady ML, van de Brug T, Barkhof F, Pouwels PJW, van der Knaap MS
Radiology 2021 Sep;300(3):671-680. Epub 2021 Jun 29 doi: 10.1148/radiol.2021210110. PMID: 34184934
Barkovich AJ, Deon S
Neurobiol Dis 2016 Mar;87:50-8. Epub 2015 Oct 22 doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.10.015. PMID: 26477299
Saji N, Ogama N, Toba K, Sakurai T
Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015 Dec;15 Suppl 1:17-25. doi: 10.1111/ggi.12673. PMID: 26671153

Diagnosis

Rahmanzadeh R, Galbusera R, Lu PJ, Bahn E, Weigel M, Barakovic M, Franz J, Nguyen TD, Spincemaille P, Schiavi S, Daducci A, La Rosa F, Absinta M, Sati P, Bach Cuadra M, Radue EW, Leppert D, Kuhle J, Kappos L, Brück W, Reich DS, Stadelmann C, Wang Y, Granziera C
Ann Neurol 2022 Sep;92(3):486-502. Epub 2022 Jul 13 doi: 10.1002/ana.26441. PMID: 35713309Free PMC Article
Lehéricy S, Roze E, Goizet C, Mochel F
Curr Opin Neurol 2020 Aug;33(4):462-473. doi: 10.1097/WCO.0000000000000844. PMID: 32657887
Mascalchi M, Vella A
Int Rev Neurobiol 2018;143:109-162. Epub 2018 Oct 29 doi: 10.1016/bs.irn.2018.09.011. PMID: 30473193
Abe T, Kojima K, Shoji H, Tanaka N, Fujimoto K, Uchida M, Nishimura H, Hayabuchi N, Norbash AM
J Magn Reson Imaging 1998 Jul-Aug;8(4):755-61. doi: 10.1002/jmri.1880080402. PMID: 9702874
Brown HH, Brodsky MC, Hembree K, Mrak RE
Ophthalmology 1991 Mar;98(3):378-82. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(91)32286-3. PMID: 2023759

Therapy

Singh V, Zheng Y, Ontaneda D, Mahajan KR, Holloman J, Fox RJ, Nakamura K, Trapp BD
Acta Neuropathol 2024 Aug 31;148(1):34. doi: 10.1007/s00401-024-02796-w. PMID: 39217272Free PMC Article
Cortese R, Battaglini M, Prados F, Bianchi A, Haider L, Jacob A, Palace J, Messina S, Paul F, Wuerfel J, Marignier R, Durand-Dubief F, de Medeiros Rimkus C, Callegaro D, Sato DK, Filippi M, Rocca MA, Cacciaguerra L, Rovira A, Sastre-Garriga J, Arrambide G, Liu Y, Duan Y, Gasperini C, Tortorella C, Ruggieri S, Amato MP, Ulivelli M, Groppa S, Grothe M, Llufriu S, Sepulveda M, Lukas C, Bellenberg B, Schneider R, Sowa P, Celius EG, Proebstel AK, Yaldizli Ö, Müller J, Stankoff B, Bodini B, Carmisciano L, Sormani MP, Barkhof F, De Stefano N, Ciccarelli O; MAGNIMS Study Group
Brain 2023 Jun 1;146(6):2489-2501. doi: 10.1093/brain/awac480. PMID: 36515653
López Sala P, Alberdi Aldasoro N, Zelaya Huerta MV, Bacaicoa Saralegui MC, Cabada Giadás T
Radiologia (Engl Ed) 2020 Jan-Feb;62(1):59-66. Epub 2019 Jul 30 doi: 10.1016/j.rx.2019.06.003. PMID: 31375267
Dadar M, Maranzano J, Ducharme S, Carmichael OT, Decarli C, Collins DL; Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Hum Brain Mapp 2018 Mar;39(3):1093-1107. Epub 2017 Nov 27 doi: 10.1002/hbm.23894. PMID: 29181872Free PMC Article
Eisele P, Konstandin S, Griebe M, Szabo K, Wolf ME, Alonso A, Ebert A, Serwane J, Rossmanith C, Hennerici MG, Schad LR, Gass A
Mult Scler 2016 Jul;22(8):1040-7. Epub 2015 Oct 9 doi: 10.1177/1352458515609430. PMID: 26453681

Prognosis

Cortese R, Battaglini M, Prados F, Bianchi A, Haider L, Jacob A, Palace J, Messina S, Paul F, Wuerfel J, Marignier R, Durand-Dubief F, de Medeiros Rimkus C, Callegaro D, Sato DK, Filippi M, Rocca MA, Cacciaguerra L, Rovira A, Sastre-Garriga J, Arrambide G, Liu Y, Duan Y, Gasperini C, Tortorella C, Ruggieri S, Amato MP, Ulivelli M, Groppa S, Grothe M, Llufriu S, Sepulveda M, Lukas C, Bellenberg B, Schneider R, Sowa P, Celius EG, Proebstel AK, Yaldizli Ö, Müller J, Stankoff B, Bodini B, Carmisciano L, Sormani MP, Barkhof F, De Stefano N, Ciccarelli O; MAGNIMS Study Group
Brain 2023 Jun 1;146(6):2489-2501. doi: 10.1093/brain/awac480. PMID: 36515653
Barkovich AJ, Deon S
Neurobiol Dis 2016 Mar;87:50-8. Epub 2015 Oct 22 doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.10.015. PMID: 26477299
Saji N, Ogama N, Toba K, Sakurai T
Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015 Dec;15 Suppl 1:17-25. doi: 10.1111/ggi.12673. PMID: 26671153
Van der Flier WM, Cordonnier C
Exp Gerontol 2012 Nov;47(11):853-7. Epub 2012 Jul 21 doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2012.07.007. PMID: 22824542
Abe T, Kojima K, Shoji H, Tanaka N, Fujimoto K, Uchida M, Nishimura H, Hayabuchi N, Norbash AM
J Magn Reson Imaging 1998 Jul-Aug;8(4):755-61. doi: 10.1002/jmri.1880080402. PMID: 9702874

Clinical prediction guides

Hedberg L, Kumar A, Skott P, Smedberg JI, Seiger Å, Sandborgh-Englund G, Nordin LE, Kåreholt I, Tzortzakakis A, Westman E, Trulsson M, Ekman U
J Oral Rehabil 2023 Dec;50(12):1422-1431. Epub 2023 Sep 14 doi: 10.1111/joor.13584. PMID: 37710915
Cortese R, Battaglini M, Prados F, Bianchi A, Haider L, Jacob A, Palace J, Messina S, Paul F, Wuerfel J, Marignier R, Durand-Dubief F, de Medeiros Rimkus C, Callegaro D, Sato DK, Filippi M, Rocca MA, Cacciaguerra L, Rovira A, Sastre-Garriga J, Arrambide G, Liu Y, Duan Y, Gasperini C, Tortorella C, Ruggieri S, Amato MP, Ulivelli M, Groppa S, Grothe M, Llufriu S, Sepulveda M, Lukas C, Bellenberg B, Schneider R, Sowa P, Celius EG, Proebstel AK, Yaldizli Ö, Müller J, Stankoff B, Bodini B, Carmisciano L, Sormani MP, Barkhof F, De Stefano N, Ciccarelli O; MAGNIMS Study Group
Brain 2023 Jun 1;146(6):2489-2501. doi: 10.1093/brain/awac480. PMID: 36515653
Stellingwerff MD, Al-Saady ML, van de Brug T, Barkhof F, Pouwels PJW, van der Knaap MS
Radiology 2021 Sep;300(3):671-680. Epub 2021 Jun 29 doi: 10.1148/radiol.2021210110. PMID: 34184934
Mascalchi M, Vella A
Int Rev Neurobiol 2018;143:109-162. Epub 2018 Oct 29 doi: 10.1016/bs.irn.2018.09.011. PMID: 30473193
Van der Flier WM, Cordonnier C
Exp Gerontol 2012 Nov;47(11):853-7. Epub 2012 Jul 21 doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2012.07.007. PMID: 22824542

Recent systematic reviews

Magro G, Tosto F, Laterza V, Di Benedetto O
J Neurol Sci 2024 Feb 15;457:122882. Epub 2024 Jan 11 doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2024.122882. PMID: 38224629

Supplemental Content

Table of contents

    Clinical resources

    Practice guidelines

    • PubMed
      See practice and clinical guidelines in PubMed. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.

    Consumer resources

    Recent activity

    Your browsing activity is empty.

    Activity recording is turned off.

    Turn recording back on

    See more...