Brain MRI: Do findings possibly indicate small vessel brain disease?

I am 68 and have the same issue. Unfortunately, there is no treatment or way to reverse the condition. My neurologist said "there's no way to roto root your brain". You can't stop the ischemic changes, TMI's, or lacunar strokes that may occur, but my doctor has warned me to get to the ER immediately if symptomatic to head off or reduce the damage from a full blown stroke.

Enjoy life and good luck!

I have diagnosed with microvascular brain disease. I feel lightheaded, balance is off and just feel weak. Does anyone out there have these symptoms also? I am 71 years old and it's freaking me out

I also have cmvd. Balance issues are definitely one of my major issues, but I haven't experienced weakness problems. If you have access to your MRI report it should show which areas of your brain are affected and you can look them up to see what functions are likely to be compromised.

Keith I am not sure how to read the MRI report. How can I figure it out. The neurologist does not tell what areas are damaged. This whole thing has me upset.

Keith

Here is a copy of report, what does it mean?
matter both cerebral hemispheres likely representing chronic ischemic
changes and likely secondary to chronic microvascular disease. A
discrete lesion involving periventricular white matter adjacent to the
frontal horn on the left is again noted. Is not characteristic of a
ischemic lesion may represent a subependymal nodule.

2. Discrete vascular malformation involving the mid pons, possibly a
capillary telangiectasia or DVA.

3. Ventricular size is normal as is the CSF Q flow study. No evidence
for an obstructive or non obstructive hydrocephalus is seen.

4. Probable small intermediate lobe cyst in the pituitary.

5. No changes noted when compared to the patient's most recent MRI
scan from 09/08/2023.

A moderate degree of T2 hyperintensities are seen involving white
matter both cerebral hemispheres likely representing chronic ischemic
changes and likely secondary to chronic microvascular disease. A
discrete lesion involving periventricular white matter adjacent to the
frontal horn on the left is again noted. Is not characteristic of a
ischemic lesion may represent a subependymal nodule

I think the most important take away from your report is that there have been no changes since your MRI a year ago. This is good news since it means that your situation appears to be stable. If there was a problem detected last year I'm sure that your doctor would have addressed it. Most people once they hit their 60"s are going to have something show up, it doesn't mean that there is something serious.

Relax, have fun, and listen to your doctor. It is easy to see these reports and freak out.

Keith
I am glad I talk to you. Yes I freaked out because other problems hit me. Insomnia, anxiety and feeling weak, eye sight diminished hit me all at once. Did not know what it could be, maybe just stress, but medications Dr gave me not working.

I posted earlier this month thst I had received a report from my doctor on a brain MRI i had in June. Bruefly, the report stated. thst I had ischaemic changes in my brain and my doctor said these were worse than expected for my age considering I did not have a stroke history. I was fairly concerned and two days returned to the neurologist who initially ordered the MRI and I brought the disc with me .....he insisted on seeing the disc from the scan and not just the report. He looked at the scan and he said " I would be more than happy if that was my brain....I would expect to see 1 white spot on a normal brain of a person just past 40 and 6 spots by your age (I am 67)...I only have 1 spot!! I'm delighted, but need to check where this mistake was made...sometimes the scanners are not great and can be difficult to interpret especially by someone who isn't very experienced. Anyway I'm very relieved,

Apologies I meant to say thst I returned to the neurologist two days ago.