Microvascular disease of the brain, also known as microvascular ischemic disease or cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), is an umbrella term that refers to a variety of changes in the small blood vessels of the brain. These changes can cause damage to the white matter in the brain, which contains nerve fibers that send signals between different parts of the brain. Microvascular ischemic disease can be mild, moderate, or severe, and can cause a range of complications, including difficulty focusing, stroke, walking and balance problems, and dementia.

The exact cause of microvascular ischemic disease is not yet well-understood, but it is commonly associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and aging. It can also be the result of plaque buildup and hardening of the small blood vessels nourishing the brain, which can block blood flow through the vessels or cause them to leak and bleed, depriving brain cells of oxygen and damaging neighboring neurons.

Doctors typically use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose microvascular ischemic disease, which produces clear images of the brain using a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer. Various brain changes occur in microvascular ischemic disease, and healthcare providers may look for different structural signs, such as bleeding in the brains small blood vessels (cerebral microbleeds) or damage to white matter.

Early symptoms of microvascular ischemic disease can be difficult to detect, but may include difficulty focusing, slurred speech, balance problems, falls, and trouble sleeping. Mental health symptoms, such as anxiety, apathy, depression, fatigue, and irritability, may also be present. If you are concerned about your risks for microvascular ischemic disease or have experienced any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.