Decreased plasma tryptophan associated with deep white matter lesions in elderly subjects

The aim was to identify potentially treatable risk factors for cerebral whi te matter lesions often found on MRI in elderly persons. findings were asse ssed on 1.0 T MRI of 178 subjects Living in the community and aged 60 years or older. Participants underwent standardised evaluations including standa rd questionnaires, a physical and neurological examination, cognitive funct ion tests, electrocardiogram, a complete blood chemistry panel, and plasma amino acid measurements. Brain MRI infarcts, deep white matter lesions (DWM Ls), and periventricular hyperintensities were found in 26%, 43%, and 29% o f the 178 participants, respectively. Subjects with DWMLs were significantl y older and had a higher frequency of hypertension, higher systolic blood p ressure, and more brain infarcts, but lower plasma concentrations of trypto phan. In the multivariate model, greater age and lower plasma tryptophan co ncentrations were independently associated with DWMLs. Tryptophan concentra tions were inversely related to DWML grading, whereas hypertension and brai n infarction were more common in subjects with higher extents of DWMLs. The present study suggests that greater age and lower plasma tryptophan concen trations were important in producing DWMLs in elderly subjects.