PIA Upcoming Events:
Vascular Cognitive Disorders

1. White matter hyperintensities. Culprit or bystander in dementia? What do the MRI signals mean? The 7 Tesla experience. Susanne J Van Veluw. Massachusetts General Hospital and University of Utrecht.
2. White matter pathology and cognitive impact in the aging non-human primate. Douglas L Rosene. Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University.
3. Which white matter hyperintensities are relevant to vascular cognitive impairment? Julie A Schneider. Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Chicago.

Break-out groups to discuss:

1. What pathological processes initiate white matter hyperintensities?
2. Should white matter hyperintensities be subclassified into periventricular and deep?
3. What therapeutic options might target white matter hyperintensities?

Each group will be moderated by a Senior and Junior researcher. Confirmed, potential Senior group leads: Sandra Black, Deborah Gustafson, Vladimir Hachinski, John O’Brien, Allyson Rosen, Doug Rosene, Julie Schneider, Ingmar Skoog, Donna Wilcock. Each break-out group will report back to the entire group

Wrap Up

The Vascular Cognitive Disorders PIA encourages researchers spanning the translational spectrum, from basic science to clinical to epidemiology, clinicians of all types and at all levels, and industry representatives, to attend and provide their perspectives. WMH have clinical consequences. They are associated with falls and executive dysfunction, not to mention the behavioral symptom of apathy, rigidity, depression and irritability, thus this symposia is practical for many.

In preparation for this symposium, we encourage all VCD PIA members to read the Open Access publication: Wardlaw JM et al., on behalf of the STRIVE Consortium. Neuroimaging standards for research into small vessel disease and its contribution to ageing and neurodegeneration. Lancet Neurol. 2013 Aug;12(8):822-38.