The incidence of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) increases with age, affecting approximately 5% of individuals over 50 years old and nearly all individuals over 90 years old. CSVD is also the most important vascular factor contributing to cognitive decline, with 45% of dementia patients attributed to CSVD. Existing interventions are similar to secondary prevention strategies for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and no specific therapies are currently available.
CSVD-related cognitive impairment (CSVDCI) predominantly involves attention, processing speed, and executive functions, with relatively preserved memory function, and may be accompanied by non-cognitive clinical manifestations such as gait disturbances, emotional and behavioral disorders, and bladder dysfunction. Although CSVDCI can be classified under vascular cognitive impairment (VCI), there are certain differences in its clinical manifestations.
In summary, it is necessary to develop more targeted treatments for CSVD. We attempt to establish a "symptom-tongue coating-gut microbiota-imaging" system to provide data support for the subsequent exploration of CSVD treatments based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation and treatment.