Speakers - 2026

Title: Cerebral Venous Density, Vascular Risk, and Brain Aging: A Retrospective Exploratory Study of Clinical MRI Data

Abstract

Background and aim: Advances in understanding cerebrovascular pathophysiology and aging highlight the importance of vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) associated with old age. There is already evidence that age-related alterations of large arteries, arterioles, and capillaries lead to dysregulation of cerebral blood flow and ischemia, blood brain barrier disruption, impaired clearance of metabolic byproducts, neuroinflammation to impair brain function. The role of age-related alterations in cerebral venous circulation in the pathogenesis of VCID is much less well understood. The main purpose of this retrospective study is to determine the effect of aging on patients’ cerebral venous density in patients who have undergone neuroimaging at a brain health program. The secondary objectives are to determine if patients’ vascular risk factors, cognitive status, and neurovascular features are associated with cerebral venous density.

Methods: IRB approved protocol involved retrospective review of the electronic medical record for all clinical phenotypic information and MRI brain imaging for all radiographic features of all patients enrolled into the brain health program at time of on-boarding.

Results: Preliminary results demonstrated that there were 388 patients assessed in the brain health program. Percentage male 54.9%. Average age 54.8 years. The age vs exterior CSF venous density r= -0.44 (Pearson’s r).

Conclusion: There is a significant effect of aging on patients’ cerebral venous density. Determination if vascular risk factors, cognitive status, and neurovascular features are associated with cerebral venous density will be presented in March 2026.