Impaired L-arginine induced vasoreactivity suggests endothelial dysfunction in CADASIL

Background: Mutations in the Notch3 gene are the cause of CADASIL, a hereditary microangiopathy leading to stroke and vascular dementia. The disease is characterized by ultrastructural granular deposits within small arterial vessels and degeneration of vascular smooth muscle cells. Little is known about endothelial function in CADASIL. Vasoreactivitiy induced by L-Arginine, which is the substrate for endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), is an established parameter of endothelial function and has been shown to be strongly elevated in patients with stroke. Methods: To analyse possible endothelial dysfunction in CADASIL…