Frank-Erik de Leeuw

Bio: Frank-Erik de Leeuw is an academic researcher from Radboud University Nijmegen. The author has contributed to research in topics: Hyperintensity & Stroke. The author has an hindex of 52, co-authored 205 publications receiving 12025 citations. Previous affiliations of Frank-Erik de Leeuw include Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre & State University of New York System.

Neuroimaging standards for research into small vessel disease and its contribution to ageing and neurodegeneration

Abstract: Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is a common accompaniment of ageing. Features seen on neuroimaging include recent small subcortical infarcts, lacunes, white matter hyperintensities, perivascular spaces, microbleeds, and brain atrophy. SVD can present as a stroke or cognitive decline, or can have few or no symptoms. SVD frequently coexists with neurodegenerative disease, and can exacerbate cognitive deficits, physical disabilities, and other symptoms of neurodegeneration. Terminology and definitions for imaging the features of SVD vary widely, which is also true for protocols for image acquisition and image analysis. This lack of consistency hampers progress in identifying the contribution of SVD to the pathophysiology and clinical features of common neurodegenerative diseases. We are an international working group from the Centres of Excellence in Neurodegeneration. We completed a structured process to develop definitions and imaging standards for markers and consequences of SVD. We aimed to achieve the following: first, to provide a common advisory about terms and definitions for features visible on MRI; second, to suggest minimum standards for image acquisition and analysis; third, to agree on standards for scientific reporting of changes related to SVD on neuroimaging; and fourth, to review emerging imaging methods for detection and quantification of preclinical manifestations of SVD. Our findings and recommendations apply to research studies, and can be used in the clinical setting to standardise image interpretation, acquisition, and reporting. This Position Paper summarises the main outcomes of this international effort to provide the STandards for ReportIng Vascular changes on nEuroimaging (STRIVE).

Cerebral white matter lesions and cognitive function: the Rotterdam Scan Study.

Abstract: Cerebral white matter lesions (WMLs) have been associated with cognitive dysfunction. Whether periventricular or subcortical WMLs relate differently to cognitive function is still uncertain. In addition, it is unclear whether WMLs are related to specific cognitive domains such as memory or psychomotor speed. We examined the relationship between periventricular and subcortical WMLs and cognitive functioning in 1,077 elderly subjects randomly sampled from the general population. Quantification of WMLs was assessed by means of an extensive rating scale on 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging scans. Cognitive function was assessed by using multiple neuropsychological tests from which we constructed compound scores for psychomotor speed, memory performance, and global cognitive function. When analyzed separately, both periventricular and subcortical WMLs were related to all neuropsychological measures. When periventricular WMLs were analyzed conditional on subcortical WMLs and vice versa, the relationship between periventricular WMLs and global cognitive function remained unaltered whereas the relationship with subcortical WMLs disappeared. Subjects with most severe periventricular WMLs performed nearly 1 SD below average on tasks involving psychomotor speed, and more than 0.5 SD below average for global cognitive function. Tasks that involve speed of cognitive processes appear to be more affected by WMLs than memory tasks.

Cerebral white matter lesions and depressive symptoms in elderly adults.

Abstract: Background: There is evidence for a vascular cause of late-life depression. Cerebral white matter lesions are thought to represent vascular abnormalities. White matter lesions have been related to affective disorders and a history of late-onset depression in psychiatric patients. Their relation with mood disturbances in the general population is not known. We investigated the relation between white matter lesions and the presence of depressive symptoms or a history of depression in a population-based study. Methods: In a sample of 1077 nondemented elderly adults, we assessed the presence and severity of subcortical and periventricular white matter lesions using magnetic resonance imaging, presence of depressive symptoms, and history of depression. Using multiple regression analysis, we examined the relation among white matter lesions, depressive symptoms, and history of depression. Results: Most of the subjects had white matter lesions. Persons with severe white matter lesions (upper quintile) were 3 to 5 times more likely to have depressive symptoms as compared with persons with only mild or no white matter lesions (lowest quintile) (periventricular odds ratio [OR]=3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-9.5; subcortical OR =5 .4; 95% CI, 1.8-16.5). In addition, persons with severe subcortical but not periventricular white matter lesions were more likely to have had a history of depression with an onset after age 60 years (OR=3.4; 95% CI, 1.1-10.7) compared with persons with only mild or no white matter lesions. Conclusion: The severity of subcortical white matter lesions is related to the presence of depressive symptoms and to a history of late-onset depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2000;57:1071-1076

Periventricular cerebral white matter lesions predict rate of cognitive decline

Abstract: The prospect of declining cognitive functions is a major fear for many elderly persons. Cerebral white matter lesions, as commonly found with magnetic resonance imaging, have been associated with cognitive dysfunction in cross-sectional studies. Only a few longitudinal studies using small cohorts confirmed these findings. We examined the relation between severity of white matter lesions and cognitive decline over a nearly 10-year period in 563 elderly subjects sampled from the general nondemented Dutch population. Severity of white matter lesions was scored for periventricular and subcortical regions separately using an extensive semiquantitative scale. Cognitive function was measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination at regular time intervals during 1990 to 2000, and magnetic resonance imaging scans were made in 1995 to 1996. More severe white matter lesions were associated with more rapid cognitive decline over a mean follow-up period of 7.3 years (standard deviation, 1.5). After adjusting for age, gender, educational level, measures of depression, and brain atrophy and infarcts, subjects with severe periventricular white matter lesions experienced cognitive decline nearly three times as fast (0.28 Mini-Mental State Examination points/year [95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.36]) as the average (0.10 points/year [95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.11]). There was no independent relationship between severity of subcortical white matter lesions and rate of cognitive decline.

Brain imaging in patients with diabetes: a systematic review.

Abstract: Diabetes is associated with impaired cognitive functioning and an increased risk of dementia (1,2). Patients with type 1 diabetes may show mild to moderate slowing of mental speed and diminished mental flexibility, whereas learning and memory are relatively spared (3). In patients with type 2 diabetes, cognitive impairment may be relatively more pronounced, particularly affecting verbal memory or complex information processing (4,5). The pathogenesis is still uncertain, but chronic hyperglycemia, vascular disease, repeated hypoglycemic episodes, and possibly direct effects of insulin on the brain have been implicated (6). Brain imaging studies can help to clarify the pathogenesis. An increasing number of studies report both focal vascular and more global (e.g., atrophy) cerebral changes, but the results are not always consistent. Our aim was to systematically review brain imaging studies in patients with diabetes. Data on the relation of imaging with cognition and with relevant disease variables were also recorded. Medline and EMBASE (1966 to February 2006) were searched with the following medical subject heading terms: computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies: white matter, leukoaraiosis, lacunar infarction, subcortical, periventricular, brain, cerebral, hippocampus, atrophy, MRI, magnetic resonance imaging, CT, and tomography; magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies: magnetic resonance spectroscopy, MRS, brain, and cerebral; positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission CT (SPECT), and Xenon-enhanced CT studies: cerebral blood flow, glucose metabolism, brain, cerebral, PET, SPECT, Xenon, positron emission tomography, single-photon emission tomography, and tomography; all combined with “diabetes.” The abstracts were screened and potentially relevant articles retrieved. These articles were included if they met the following four criteria: 1 ) original article, written in English, on brain imaging in adult patients with diabetes in comparison with control subjects; 2 ) diagnostic criteria for diabetes specified; 3 ) sample size of at least 20 diabetic patients, or a total sample …

Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes

Abstract: XI. STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING DIABETES CARE D iabetes is a chronic illness that requires continuing medical care and patient self-management education to prevent acute complications and to reduce the risk of long-term complications. Diabetes care is complex and requires that many issues, beyond glycemic control, be addressed. A large body of evidence exists that supports a range of interventions to improve diabetes outcomes. These standards of care are intended to provide clinicians, patients, researchers, payors, and other interested individuals with the components of diabetes care, treatment goals, and tools to evaluate the quality of care. While individual preferences, comorbidities, and other patient factors may require modification of goals, targets that are desirable for most patients with diabetes are provided. These standards are not intended to preclude more extensive evaluation and management of the patient by other specialists as needed. For more detailed information, refer to Bode (Ed.): Medical Management of Type 1 Diabetes (1), Burant (Ed): Medical Management of Type 2 Diabetes (2), and Klingensmith (Ed): Intensive Diabetes Management (3). The recommendations included are diagnostic and therapeutic actions that are known or believed to favorably affect health outcomes of patients with diabetes. A grading system (Table 1), developed by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and modeled after existing methods, was utilized to clarify and codify the evidence that forms the basis for the recommendations. The level of evidence that supports each recommendation is listed after each recommendation using the letters A, B, C, or E.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2017 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

Abstract: WRITING GROUP MEMBERS Emelia J. Benjamin, MD, SCM, FAHA Michael J. Blaha, MD, MPH Stephanie E. Chiuve, ScD Mary Cushman, MD, MSc, FAHA Sandeep R. Das, MD, MPH, FAHA Rajat Deo, MD, MTR Sarah D. de Ferranti, MD, MPH James Floyd, MD, MS Myriam Fornage, PhD, FAHA Cathleen Gillespie, MS Carmen R. Isasi, MD, PhD, FAHA Monik C. Jiménez, ScD, SM Lori Chaffin Jordan, MD, PhD Suzanne E. Judd, PhD Daniel Lackland, DrPH, FAHA Judith H. Lichtman, PhD, MPH, FAHA Lynda Lisabeth, PhD, MPH, FAHA Simin Liu, MD, ScD, FAHA Chris T. Longenecker, MD Rachel H. Mackey, PhD, MPH, FAHA Kunihiro Matsushita, MD, PhD, FAHA Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, FAHA Michael E. Mussolino, PhD, FAHA Khurram Nasir, MD, MPH, FAHA Robert W. Neumar, MD, PhD, FAHA Latha Palaniappan, MD, MS, FAHA Dilip K. Pandey, MBBS, MS, PhD, FAHA Ravi R. Thiagarajan, MD, MPH Mathew J. Reeves, PhD Matthew Ritchey, PT, DPT, OCS, MPH Carlos J. Rodriguez, MD, MPH, FAHA Gregory A. Roth, MD, MPH Wayne D. Rosamond, PhD, FAHA Comilla Sasson, MD, PhD, FAHA Amytis Towfighi, MD Connie W. Tsao, MD, MPH Melanie B. Turner, MPH Salim S. Virani, MD, PhD, FAHA Jenifer H. Voeks, PhD Joshua Z. Willey, MD, MS John T. Wilkins, MD Jason HY. Wu, MSc, PhD, FAHA Heather M. Alger, PhD Sally S. Wong, PhD, RD, CDN, FAHA Paul Muntner, PhD, MHSc On behalf of the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2017 Update

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2016 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

Abstract: Author(s): Writing Group Members; Mozaffarian, Dariush; Benjamin, Emelia J; Go, Alan S; Arnett, Donna K; Blaha, Michael J; Cushman, Mary; Das, Sandeep R; de Ferranti, Sarah; Despres, Jean-Pierre; Fullerton, Heather J; Howard, Virginia J; Huffman, Mark D; Isasi, Carmen R; Jimenez, Monik C; Judd, Suzanne E; Kissela, Brett M; Lichtman, Judith H; Lisabeth, Lynda D; Liu, Simin; Mackey, Rachel H; Magid, David J; McGuire, Darren K; Mohler, Emile R; Moy, Claudia S; Muntner, Paul; Mussolino, Michael E; Nasir, Khurram; Neumar, Robert W; Nichol, Graham; Palaniappan, Latha; Pandey, Dilip K; Reeves, Mathew J; Rodriguez, Carlos J; Rosamond, Wayne; Sorlie, Paul D; Stein, Joel; Towfighi, Amytis; Turan, Tanya N; Virani, Salim S; Woo, Daniel; Yeh, Robert W; Turner, Melanie B; American Heart Association Statistics Committee; Stroke Statistics Subcommittee