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Neurovascular Decoupling Is Associated With Lobar Intracerebral Hemorrhages and White Matter Hyperintensities
Suzanne E. van Dijk, Nadieh Drenth, Anne Hafkemeijer, Gerda Labadie, Marie‐Noëlle W. Witjes‐Ané, Frank F. Baas, Jeroen P. Vreijling, Gerard J. Blauw et al.. Journal of the American Heart Association, 2025-02-14
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
Background Neurovascular coupling is a fundamental aspect of brain function by regulating cerebral blood flow in response to regional neuronal activity. Increasing evidence suggest neurovascular decoupling occurs early in the progression of Alzheimer disease (AD), potentially reflecting early vascular damage. Therefore, understanding the relationship between neurovascular coupling and established vascular risk factors for AD is essential to gain deeper insights into the vascular mechanisms underlying AD. Methods This cross‐sectional observational study investigated the association between neurovascular coupling and vascular risk factors for AD, specifically small vessel disease magnetic resonance imaging markers, cardiovascular risk factors, and the apolipoprotein E genotype. The cohort included 119 participants diagnosed with subjective cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment, and AD‐related dementia, as well as individuals without cognitive complaints. Neurovascular coupling was measured by blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging amplitude in response to visual stimulation. Results Our findings revealed that decreased neurovascular coupling is linked to structural brain changes typically seen in small vessel disease; specifically we found an association between neurovascular coupling and white matter hyperintensities load ( β =−0.199, P =0.030) and presence of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage ( β =−0.228, P =0.011). Conclusions This raises the suggestion that a decreased neurovascular coupling in the disease process of AD is related to comorbid small vessel disease.
Key findings
- Results Our findings revealed that decreased neurovascular coupling is linked to structural brain changes typically seen in small vessel disease; specifically we found an association between neurovascular coupling and white matter hyperintensities load ( β =−0.199, P =0.030) and presence of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage ( β =−0.228, P =0.011).
- Conclusions This raises the suggestion that a decreased neurovascular coupling in the disease process of AD is related to comorbid small vessel disease.
Why it matters
In 119 people with cognitive complaints or dementia, weaker neurovascular coupling was linked to more white matter hyperintensities and lobar brain bleeds. This supports the idea that small vessel disease may be involved in Alzheimer's disease, but it is an observational study and does not show that treating this coupling changes outcomes.
Study details
- Participants119
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 47/100
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 (Journal of the American Heart Association) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Journal of the American Heart Association: journal h-index 200 (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 | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 2 / 4 | 119 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 8 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 2.7 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 5.1× 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 8 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Sanneke van Rooden: h-index 21 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Leiden University Medical Center: institution h-index 930 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 4 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 39950450) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 47 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1161/jaha.124.038819
- PubMed: 39950450
- Original source →
- Free full text: Journal of the American Heart Association →
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. The record's author list ends in “et al.”, so not every author is named. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
van Dijk, S. E., Drenth, N., Hafkemeijer, A., Labadie, G., Witjes‐Ané, M. W., Baas, F. F., et al. (2025). Neurovascular Decoupling Is Associated With Lobar Intracerebral Hemorrhages and White Matter Hyperintensities. Journal of the American Heart Association. https://doi.org/10.1161/jaha.124.038819
Vancouver
van Dijk SE, Drenth N, Hafkemeijer A, Labadie G, Witjes‐Ané MW, Baas FF, et al. Neurovascular Decoupling Is Associated With Lobar Intracerebral Hemorrhages and White Matter Hyperintensities. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2025. doi:10.1161/jaha.124.038819. PMID: 39950450.
BibTeX
@article{vandijk2025-39950450,
author = {van Dijk, Suzanne E. and Drenth, Nadieh and Hafkemeijer, Anne and Labadie, Gerda and Witjes‐Ané, Marie‐Noëlle W. and Baas, Frank F. and Vreijling, Jeroen P. and Blauw, Gerard J. and others},
title = {{Neurovascular Decoupling Is Associated With Lobar Intracerebral Hemorrhages and White Matter Hyperintensities}},
journal = {Journal of the American Heart Association},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1161/jaha.124.038819},
pmid = {39950450},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1161/jaha.124.038819}
}
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