The SHIVA-WMH detector enables early automated detection of white matter hypersignals (signs of disease of the small cerebral arteries).
New publication of the SHIVA project
In this new publication from the SHIVA project (workpackage 1, SHIVA-MRI study), the Neurofunctional Imaging Group proposes a new 3D model based on deep learning, the SHIVA-WMH detector, with significantly improved detection of small white matter hypersignals, in subjects with a wide range of these lesions, compared with existing automated detection methods.
White matter hypersignals are one of four signs on brain MRI of cerebral small vessel disease.
In addition, they demonstrate the relevance of the small white matter hypersignals found in the young adults of the MRi-Share study by showing changes in the microstructure of the white matter.
The SHIVA-MRI study
As a reminder, the objective of the SHIVA-MRI study is the automated quantification and differentiation of multiple cerebral biomarkers of cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) on brain MRI in order to :
- improve early diagnosis and prognostic stratification of patients with covert cSVD and thus
- improve detection of subjects at risk of dementia and stroke (see infographic of worpackage 1 in the SHIVA project participants’ area).
The challenge of detecting covert cSVD
Covert cSVD is already detected in a variety of situations (patients undergoing brain MRI for memory impairment, symptoms of frailty, screening for target organ damage due to hypertension or diabetes; stroke patients with the discovery of coexisting covert cSVD; and, quite frequently, incidental findings given the increasingly frequent use of brain MRI).
The aim is to increase the number of patients with covert cSVD diagnosed by equipping clinicians and neuroradiologists with tools and software that would automatically detect and quantify signs of cSVD. This publication concerns one of these software packages.
Improved detection and management of covert cSVD as part of the SHIVA project would have a major impact on promoting ‘healthy cerebral ageing’, preventing disability and the costs associated with strokes, cognitive disorders and dementia.
Scientific publication
Tsuchida A, Boutinaud P, Verrecchia V, Tzourio C, Debette S, Joliot M. Early detection of white matter hyperintensities using SHIVA-WMH detector. Hum Brain Mapp. 2023 Dec 5. doi: 10.1002/hbm.26548. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38050769. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hbm.26548