Analysis of the correlation between ischemic white matter lesions, and cognitive function and plasma level of heat shock protein 70

Objective: To investigate the effects of the different extent white matter ischemic lesions(WMIL) on the cognitive function,and correlation of plasma heat shock protein 70(HSP70) level with WMIL.Methods: According to the results of head MRI,75 patients with WMIL were selected.The patients were divided into the mild group,moderate group and severe group according to the Fazekas rating scale,and 40 cases normal people were set as the control group.The cognitive function were evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA) scale,and the levels of HSP70 were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in four groups.Results: The scores of total MoCA,visual space,executive function and delayed memory ability in mild,moderate and severe group were significantly lower than those in control group(P < 0.01),the scores of attention and calculation in severe group were also lower than those in control group(P < 0.05).The score of Fazekas was significantly negative correlation with the score of MoCA(P < 0.01).The plasma levels of HSP70 in mild,moderate and severe group were significantly higher than that in control group(P < 0.01).The score of Fazekas was significantly positive correlation with the score of HSP70(P < 0.01).Conclusions: With the WMIL severity aggravating,the cognitive impairment is more severe,and the plasma HSP70 level is more high.The HSP70 may play certain clinical significance in evaluating the severity of WMIL.