CADASIL

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is an inherited small vessel disease causing stroke and dementia. This condition causes repeated ischemic attacks and is related to mutations in the NOTCH3 gene. This condition affects small blood vessels, mainly in the brain. An abnormality in the muscle cells surrounding these blood vessels (vascular smooth muscle cells) gradually destroys the blood vessel cells. The resulting blood vessel damage can lead to migraines, emotional and mental disorders, stroke-like episodes, dementia, and other impairments of normal brain function. Patients with CADASIL are also at increased risk of heart attack (myocardial infarction) because of damaged blood vessels in the heart. Most patients with CADASIL do not have the common risk factors for stroke and heart attack, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, although in some cases these features may also be present. DNA tests are available.