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Research progress on magnetic resonance imaging of memory decline caused by cerebral small vessel disease
JIANG Yuxing  CHEN Li 

DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.01.024.


[Abstract] Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is one of the leading causes of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) and dementia, in which memory impairment represents a core clinical manifestation. With the widespread application of high-resolution multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), researchers are now able to more precisely elucidate the neural mechanisms by which CSVD lesions involve key memory-related regions such as the hippocampus, medial temporal lobe, and thalamus, thereby leading to memory dysfunction. While research in this area has progressed rapidly, the understanding of its specific mechanisms remains controversial, and the translation of imaging biomarkers into clinical practice remains immature. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a systematic review and synthesis of the current evidence. This article summarizes recent neuroimaging studies on CSVD-related memory decline, outlining the pathophysiological mechanisms through which CSVD affects memory function and the clinical value of various imaging biomarkers. At the same time, it highlights the limitations of current mechanistic research and the challenges faced in translating imaging biomarkers into clinical practice, and proposes perspectives for future research. The aim of this review is to systematically collate the imaging evidence for memory impairment in CSVD, thereby providing an imaging basis for early diagnosis, precision intervention, and treatment response evaluation, and ultimately offering useful references for clinical practice.
[Keywords] neuroimaging；cerebral small vessel disease；memory impairment；magnetic resonance imaging；functional magnetic resonance image

JIANG Yuxing   CHEN Li*  

Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China

Corresponding author: CHEN L, E-mail: chenliidea@sina.com

Conflicts of interest   None.

Received  2025-10-19
Accepted  2025-12-25
DOI: 10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.01.024
DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.01.024.

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