Comorbidity polymorphisms and their role in the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular diseases

Abstract

Background. Hyperhomocysteinemia (HH) is considered a risk factor for generalized atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, ischemic cerebrovascular events. Objective. To improve diagnostics and primary and secondary prevention of cerebrovascular diseases based on the complex analysis of physical examination, blood tests, instrumental examination in patients with and without HH. Design and methods. Altogether we examined 242 patients. The main inclusion criteria was the presence of chronic cerebrovascular diseases with or without HH of various severity. All subjects underwent physical examination and neurovizualizing tests (magnetic resonance imaging and/or computer scan of the brain). Total homocystein level was assessed by the highperformance liquid chromatography (Agilent 1100) with the photometry detection. Results. Cognitive decline, pyramidal insufficiency (central hemiplegia, cerebellar ataxia), and radicular syndrome were the predominant neurological findings. Conclusion. The result of this study is to expand the range of diagnostic methods and the ability to perform the assessment of the severity of neurological decline taking into account the novel risk factors (such as homocysteine).