My husband age 71, was diagnosed with small vessel disease. His doctor thinks it was brought on by sleep apnea. He uses a clap now.
As far as building new brain connections.... I've had MS for 30 years. My research says that new cells, new nerve pathways are built when we learn knew things. They are also created when we do simple things a new way. Put you mouse, fork, pen, and coffee cup in your "other" hand. This grows new nerves which was described to me like building a new road to the same old destination. Also learn to do a new thing with 2 hands. Knitting and crocheting are a good choice. We can make new brain pathways.