The association between aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene polymorphism an
d white matter hyperintensities seen on cerebral MRI was studied in a popul
ation-based sample of 829 individuals aged 63 to 75 years. The T allele was
associated with the risk of severe white matter hyperintensities. Compared
with the CC genotype, the adjusted OR for severe white matter hyperintensi
ties was 4.61 (95% CI, 1.46 to 14.55) for the TT genotype and 2.45 (95% CI,
0.81 to 7.46) for the TC genotype in men. This association was independent
of hypertension.