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Genetic variation in white matter hyperintensity volume in the Framingham Study
Atwood LD, Wolf PA, Heard-Costa NL, Massaro JM, Beiser A, D'Agostino RB, DeCarli C.. Stroke, 2004-05-13
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Background and purpose In a previous study of normal elderly male twins, the heritability of quantitative white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume has been estimated to be high (0.73). We investigated heritability of WMH in a family-based sample of the Framingham Heart Study for sex differences and the impact of age. Methods Brain magnetic resonance scans were performed on 2012 individuals in the cohort and offspring of the Framingham study.
Key findings
- We investigated heritability of WMH in a family-based sample of the Framingham Heart Study for sex differences and the impact of age.
- Methods Brain magnetic resonance scans were performed on 2012 individuals in the cohort and offspring of the Framingham study.
- This report was limited to 1330 stroke-free and dementia-free members (mean age 61.0 years) of the Framingham offspring.
- Individuals with a history of multiple sclerosis, stroke, dementia, or other neurological condition including traumatic brain injury were excluded from this analysis.
Why it matters
This study estimated how much of the variation in white matter hyperintensity volume on brain scans is inherited, using a family-based sample. It is about genetic influence on a brain scan marker, not about treating, curing or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
Study details
- Participants2,012
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 54/100
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 (Stroke) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Stroke: journal h-index 455 (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 | 3 / 5 | Rated “moderate” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2004 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| Sample size | 3 / 4 | 2,012 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 | 5 / 7 | Cited 239 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 10.0 citations a year over 24 year(s) since 2004 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 7.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 3 / 6 | Cited by 10 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 20 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 4 / 4 | Last-listed author Charles S DeCarli: h-index 150 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Boston University: institution h-index 1,456 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 15143299) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 54 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
May need a subscription OpenAlex found no free copy of the full text (checked 6 Feb 1020), so the publisher may charge for it. The PubMed abstract is free.
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. The record names 7 authors; APA and Vancouver show the first six, BibTeX and the downloads carry all of them. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Atwood, L. D., Wolf, P. A., Heard-Costa, N. L., Massaro, J. M., Beiser, A., D'Agostino, R. B., et al. (2004). Genetic variation in white matter hyperintensity volume in the Framingham Study. Stroke. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.str.0000129643.77045.10
Vancouver
Atwood LD, Wolf PA, Heard-Costa NL, Massaro JM, Beiser A, D'Agostino RB, et al. Genetic variation in white matter hyperintensity volume in the Framingham Study. Stroke. 2004. doi:10.1161/01.str.0000129643.77045.10. PMID: 15143299.
BibTeX
@article{atwood2004-15143299,
author = {Atwood, L. D. and Wolf, P. A. and Heard-Costa, N. L. and Massaro, J. M. and Beiser, A. and D'Agostino, R. B. and DeCarli, C.},
title = {{Genetic variation in white matter hyperintensity volume in the Framingham Study}},
journal = {Stroke},
year = {2004},
doi = {10.1161/01.str.0000129643.77045.10},
pmid = {15143299},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1161/01.str.0000129643.77045.10}
}
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