Pericarotid fat density on CTA predicts cognitive and functional decline in cerebral small vessel disease

Higher pericarotid fat density on CT angiography was linked to worse cognition and functional outcomes in cerebral small vessel disease. Maximum pericarotid fat density independently predicted adverse functional outcomes (p<0.001), with a predictive model AUC of 0.939.

• 71 symptomatic and 55 asymptomatic patients with cerebral small vessel disease were prospectively studied.
• Symptomatic patients had higher pericarotid fat density and poorer cognitive performance across multiple scales and event-related potentials.
• Maximum pericarotid fat density was an independent predictor of adverse functional outcomes, defined as no improvement or worsening on the modified Rankin Scale.

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