white matter hyperintensities

White matter hyperintensities are areas in the brain that appear brighter on certain MRI scans. They represent small spots of damage or changes in the brain’s white matter, which contains the nerve fibers that connect different parts of the brain. These changes can be caused by aging, small vessel disease, or other health conditions. While sometimes related to cognitive decline or stroke risk, they can also be present without symptoms. Understanding these spots helps doctors assess brain health and manage factors that could affect it over time.