Small vessel cerebrovascular disease in older adults

‘Cerebral small vessel disease’ is common in older adults and is an important cause of morbidity, functional impairment and cognitive decline. Small vessel disease is a collective term used to describe a number of underlying pathological processes and neuroimaging findings, such as lacunar infarcts, white matter lesions and microhaemorrhages.With readily available neuroimaging, diagnostic accuracy has improved; however, the management of small vessel disease and prevention of cognitive decline remains uncertain. Treatment of conventional vascular risk factors may be appropriate, but future research is required to provide definitive answers. We have conducted a comprehensive literature review of cerebral small vessel disease in older adults. This highlights the clinical sequelae and underlying pathological processes, whilst discussing novel diagnostic neuroimaging and therapeutic strategies.