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Altered glymphatic function and cerebrovascular reactivity in white matter hyperintensities: Insights into cognitive impairment
Kai Li, Yueyan Bian, Yi Xing, Xiuqin Jia. Brain Research Bulletin, 2025-09-16
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
The ALPS-index showed a stepwise decline with increasing WMH severity and cognitive impairment (p < 0.001). WMH-CIND participants exhibited lower gBOLD-CSF coupling compared with controls (p < 0.05). CVR alterations were localized to frontal and occipital regions. Significant associations were observed between glymphatic indices, region-specific CVR, and cognitive performance across multiple domains. These findings highlight the complex interplay between glymphatic dysfunction, localized CVR impairments, and cognitive decline in WMH. Preserving vascular health and optimizing glymphatic clearance may represent promising approaches for controlling WMH progression and its associated cognitive deficits.
Key findings
- The ALPS-index showed a stepwise decline with increasing WMH severity and cognitive impairment (p < 0.001).
- WMH-CIND participants exhibited lower gBOLD-CSF coupling compared with controls (p < 0.05).
- CVR alterations were localized to frontal and occipital regions.
- Significant associations were observed between glymphatic indices, region-specific CVR, and cognitive performance across multiple domains.
- These findings highlight the complex interplay between glymphatic dysfunction, localized CVR impairments, and cognitive decline in WMH.
Why it matters
This study found that markers of brain fluid clearance and blood vessel reactivity were worse in people with more severe white matter hyperintensities and cognitive impairment. The authors suggest that preserving vascular health and improving glymphatic clearance might help control white matter hyperintensity progression, but this is a suggestion, not a proven treatment.
Study details
- Participants124
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 42/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, effect reported and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Brain Research Bulletin) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Brain Research Bulletin: journal h-index 203 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 2 / 4 | 124 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 6 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 2.0 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.1× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 6 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Xiuqin Jia: h-index 27 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Capital Medical University: institution h-index 643 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40967343) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 42 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2025.111552
- PubMed: 40967343
- Original source →
- Free full text: Brain Research Bulletin →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Li, K., Bian, Y., Xing, Y., & Jia, X. (2025). Altered glymphatic function and cerebrovascular reactivity in white matter hyperintensities: Insights into cognitive impairment. Brain Research Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2025.111552
Vancouver
Li K, Bian Y, Xing Y, Jia X. Altered glymphatic function and cerebrovascular reactivity in white matter hyperintensities: Insights into cognitive impairment. Brain Research Bulletin. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2025.111552. PMID: 40967343.
BibTeX
@article{li2025-40967343,
author = {Li, Kai and Bian, Yueyan and Xing, Yi and Jia, Xiuqin},
title = {{Altered glymphatic function and cerebrovascular reactivity in white matter hyperintensities: Insights into cognitive impairment}},
journal = {Brain Research Bulletin},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1016/j.brainresbull.2025.111552},
pmid = {40967343},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2025.111552}
}
Studies this one cites
Referenced by this study and also in the alzhub library, so you can read them here.