Pathogenesis of white matter changes in cerebral small vessel diseases: beyond vessel-intrinsic mechanisms

Cerebral small vessel diseases (SVDs) are a leading cause of age and hypertension-related stroke and dementia. The salient features of SVDs visible on conventional brain magnetic resonance images include white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on T2-weighted images, small infarcts, macrohemorrhages, dilated perivascular spaces, microbleeds and brain atrophy. Among these, WMHs are the most common and often the earliest brain tissue changes. Moreover, over the past two decades, large population- and patient-based studies have established the clinical importance of WMHs, notably with respect to cognitive and motor disturbances. Here, we seek to provide a new and critical look at the pathogenesis of SVD-associated white matter (WM) changes. We first review our current knowledge of WM biology in the healthy brain, and then consider the main clinical and pathological features of WM changes in SVDs. The most widely held view is that SVD-associated WM lesions are caused by chronic hypoperfusion, impaired cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) or blood–brain barrier (BBB) leakage. Here, we assess the arguments for and against each of these mechanisms based on population, patient and experimental model studies, and further discuss other potential mechanisms. Specifically, building on two recent seminal studies that have uncovered an anatomical and functional relationship between oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and blood vessels, we elaborate on how small vessel changes might compromise myelin remodelling and cause WM degeneration. Finally, we propose new directions for future studies on this hot research topic.