Brain microangiopathy, also known as gliosis, is a common finding in brain MRIs, especially in people over the age of 40. In fact, as a person ages, it is normal for some small vessels of the brain to become blocked, resulting in small scars on the brain.
However, although it corresponds to the blockage of blood flow in these small vessels, the search for gliosis most of the time does not pose a health problem, considered normal. However, when large amounts of microangiopathy are observed or when the person has one or more risk factors, it is important for the neurologist to investigate the cause to indicate the most appropriate treatment.
- Microangiopathy is mainly caused by aging.
- In which a blockage of the microvascularization of the brain occurs.
- Resulting in the formation of small scars that are visualized by magnetic resonance imaging in the form of small white dots in the brain.
In addition to aging, gliosis can also occur due to genetic changes and, as a result, some younger people may experience this change in MRI, such as multiple sclerosis.
Gliosis can be considered a sign of neurological changes when the person has high blood pressure, changes in cholesterol, or smokes frequently. These situations promote the obstruction of more vessels, which can cause more scarring, which eventually adds and lead to neurological changes, such as changes in language and cognition, dementia or ischemic stroke.
In addition, when a large number of microangiopathies are visualized, the doctor usually considers the possibility that the person is about to suffer an ischemic stroke or is caused by memory loss from neurological diseases.
Because microangiopathy is considered in most cases an imaging result, no treatment or follow-up is necessary.
However, if a large amount of glisosis is detected, your doctor may recommend more tests to help identify the cause so that you can start more appropriate treatment.
In addition, it is important that people keep chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol and heart and kidney disease, well-controlled, and maintain good health habits, such as regular physical activity and a healthy, balanced diet, as this can avoid the risk factors associated with increasing the amount of microangiopathies.