The Relationship Between Cerebral White Matter Lesions And Serum Vitamin B12 Levels In The Lacunar Stroke Patients

ObjectiveWe studied serum vitamin B12 level in relation to the severity of white matter lesions on MRI in the lacunar stroke patients.MethodsIn 213 patients with lacunar stroke who were admittesd to Sheng Jing hospital between January and October in 2009, we measured serum vitamin B12 level and rated the degrees of white matter lesions(WML) on MRI by Fazekas and Aharon-Peretz J rating scales Separately, and evaluate the correlation between them using Ordered Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis.ResultsBy Fazekas rating scales on MRI, age and vitamin B12 level was significantly (statistically significant) associated with the severity of white-matter lesions, both in periventricular and deep white-matter lesions (p<0.001); By Aharon-Peretz J rating scales, age and vitamin B12 level also had significant (statistically significant) correlations with the severity of white-matter lesions (p<0.001); The results are consistent using Fazekas and Aharon-Peretz J rating scales separately.ConclusionsMore severe periventricular and deep white matter lesions in the lacunar stroke patients relate to lower vitamin B12 levels and older age. The conclusions are consistent using Fazekas and Aharon-Peretz J rating scales separately.