07 Feb 18. STRIVE Guidelines for SVD

Professor Joanna Wardlaw and this international working group from the Centres of Excellence in Neurodegeneration, wrote the STRIVE Guidelines for small vessel disease. The group included experts in neurology, neuroradiology, neuroepidemiology, psychiatry, geriatrics, stroke, medical imaging physics, and neuropathology.

They completed a structured process to develop definitions and imaging standards for markers and consequences of SVD. 

They achieved the following:

1. to provide a common advisory about terms and definitions for features visible on MRI;

2. to suggest minimum standards for image acquisition and analysis;

3. to agree on standards for scientific reporting of changes related to SVD on neuroimaging;

4. to review emerging imaging methods for detection and quantification of preclinical manifestations of SVD.

Their findings and recommendations apply today, to research studies involving SVDs, and are still used in the clinical setting to standardise image interpretation, acquisition, and reporting.

One recent article, published in The Medical News Today, titled 'Alzheimer's-related brain changes could start at 40'  included the STRIVE Guidelines for small vessel disease  paper. 

Today's Alzheimer's article discusses how scientists may have advanced our understanding of the brain mechanisms behind Alzheimer's disease, after uncovering a process that precedes the build-up of toxic proteins that is a hallmark of the condition.

In a mouse study, scientists at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles reveal how damage to cells called pericytes can trigger white matter disease, which is associated with dementia.

Also, the study findings suggest that these brain changes may occur as early as the age of 40.

Full Article - please click here.