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

The aim was to identify potentially treatable riskfactors for cerebral white matter lesions often found on MRI in elderly persons. findings were assessed on 1.0 T MRI of 178 subjects living inthe community and aged 60 years or older. Participants underwent standardised evaluations including standard questionnaires, a physicaland neurological examination, cognitive function tests, electrocardiogram, a complete blood chemistry panel, and plasma aminoacid measurements. Brain MRI infarcts, deep white matter lesions(DWMLs), and periventricular hyperintensities were found in 26%, 43%,and 29% of the 178 participants, respectively. Subjects with DWMLswere significantly older and had a higher frequency of hypertension,higher systolic blood pressure, and more brain infarcts, but lowerplasma concentrations of tryptophan. In the multivariate model, greaterage and lower plasma tryptophan concentrations were independentlyassociated with DWMLs. Tryptophan concentrations were inversely relatedto DWML grading, whereas hypertension and brain infarction were morecommon in subjects with higher extents of DWMLs. The present studysuggests that greater age and lower plasma tryptophanconcentrations were important in producingDWMLs in elderly subjects.