Blood pressure and haemoglobin A1c are associated with microhaemorrhage in CADASIL: a two-centre cohort study

• CADASIL symptoms may be caused by an over reaction to the hormone Angiotensin II

Abnormal Vasoconstrictor Responses to Angiotensin II and Noradrenaline in Isolated Small Arteries From Patients With Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy With Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy [abstract]

2006

(new)

• Other genetic factors appear to have a significant effect on disease progression. Suggests need to find out what those other genetic factors are.

Heritability of MRI Lesion Volume in CADASIL. Evidence for Genetic Modifiers. [abstract]

• Statistics based on the changes in MRI scans over time can be used to predict disease progression.

Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Histograms as a Surrogate Marker and Predictor of Disease Progression in CADASIL [abstract]

Study into what other factors may have on disease progression (e.g. smoking, high blood pressure)

• No evidence that the type of gene defect you have has any influence on the symptoms you will have.
• This means something else is probably influencing disease progression, but it's not the fact that you may have high blood pressure or cholesterol.
• Smoking is bad for cadasil patients and causes strokes to happen earlier.
• Patients with high homocystein levels are more likely to have migraines. (these levels can be reduced by taking folic acid and B6 and B12 Vitamins).
• Suggests a larger international study be done.

The influence of genetic and cardiovascular risk factors on the CADASIL phenotype. [abstract]

• Men deteriorate more quickly than women, but not known why (oestrogen may be a factor)
• Apart from two specific mutation types, the disease progression doesn't appear to be strongly linked to the type of mutation you have got

Long-term prognosis and causes of death in CADASIL: a retrospective study in 411 patients. [abstract