To investigate the association between clinical obesity, as defined by a comprehensive indicator, arterial stiffness, and cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD).
Key Findings:
A total of 2,011 participants (49.8% male, mean age 53.7 ± 12.2 years) were included. Clinical obesity was significantly associated with a higher total burden of cSVD.
The association strength with specific imaging markers decreased in the order: perivascular spaces (PVS), lacunar infarcts, white matter hyperintensities (WMH), and cerebral microbleeds (CMB).
Arterial stiffness significantly mediated the association between clinical obesity and cSVD.
Interpretation:
The findings suggest that clinical obesity is linked to cSVD, with arterial stiffness playing a mediating role.
Limitations:
Cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
Potential confounding factors, such as specific metabolic conditions, may not have been fully accounted for.
Conclusion:
Targeting both obesity and arterial stiffness may be crucial in preventing subclinical cerebrovascular damage.
Over two days, specialists across neurology, neurosurgery and related subspecialties came together to discuss advances in stroke care, epilepsy, movement disorders, neurodegenerative disease, neuro-oncology, brain and spine surgery, interventional pain management and emerging technologies.
