What is the subcortical white matter?

White matter is found in the deeper tissues of the brain (subcortical). It contains nerve fibers (axons), which are extensions of nerve cells (neurons). Many of these nerve fibers are surrounded by a type of sheath or covering called myelin. Myelin gives the white matter its color.

What causes subcortical white matter?

Causes of periventricular white matter lesions: Major causes of periventricular white matter (PWM) lesions include normal changes from aging (then they are called UBO’s, for “unidentified bright objects), small strokes, and disorders related to multiple sclerosis (MS).

What are subcortical white matter lesions?

White matter lesions (WMLs) are areas of abnormal myelination in the brain. These lesions are best visualized as hyperintensities on T2 weighted and FLAIR (Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) sequences of magnetic resonance imaging. They are considered a marker of small vessel disease.

What is subcortical matter?

The subcortical white matter makes up around half of the human brain volume. It is responsible for the interconnection of cortical and subcortical areas, participating in the constitution of the wide neural networks related to a host of motor, sensory, cognitive, and behavioral functions.

Where is the subcortical located?

Subcortical structures are a group of diverse neural formations deep within the brain which include the diencephalon, pituitary gland, limbic structures and the basal ganglia. They are involved in complex activities such as memory, emotion, pleasure and hormone production.

What is the function of white matter?

Long thought to be passive tissue, white matter affects learning and brain functions, modulating the distribution of action potentials, acting as a relay and coordinating communication between different brain regions.

Is subcortical white matter normal?

Subcortical white matter builds neural connections between cortical and subcortical regions and constitutes the basis of neural networks. It plays a very important role in normal brain function. Various studies have shown that white matter deteriorates with aging.

What does white matter in the brain indicate?

A fatty material called myelin protects the fibers and gives white matter its color. This type of brain tissue helps you think fast, walk straight, and keeps you from falling. When it becomes diseased, the myelin breaks down. The signals that help you do these things can’t get through.

What is the difference between white matter and lesions on the brain?

Axons are surrounded by a fatty material called myelin, which insulates them like a sheath and gives white matter its color. Abnormalities in white matter, known as lesions, are most often seen as bright areas or spots on MRI scans of the brain. They can reflect normal aging; white matter deteriorates as people age.

What is subcortical white matter hyperintensities?

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are lesions in the brain that show up as areas of increased brightness when visualised by T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). WMH’s are also referred to as Leukoaraiosis and are often found in CT or MRI’s of older patients.

What parts of the brain are subcortical?