Association of kinase insert domain receptor (KDR -604, 1192, and 1719) polymorphisms with cerebral white matter lesions

Kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) gene polymorphisms are associated with coronary artery lesions. The aims of this study were to evaluate the role of KDR polymorphisms in patients susceptible to cerebral white matter lesion (cWML), and determine the relationship between KDR polymorphisms and plasma total homocysteine levels. A total of 326 study subjects who had never had a stroke were enrolled in this study. The indices of cWMLs included total WML (TWML), periventricular white matter lesion (PWML), and subcortical white matter lesion (SCWML) in brain fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. Among the 326 study subjects, TWML was found in 65 patients (20%). Common genetic variants of KDR (−604, 1192, and 1719) were examined. In multivariate analysis, there were no significant effects of any tested KDR polymorphisms on cWML. A significant association with plasma total homocysteine levels was found for TWML. The haplotypes of the KDR -604, 1192, and 1719 polymorphisms were associated with the increased risk of development of cWML. We conclude that the haplotypes of KDR polymorphisms are associated with an increased risk of development of cWML.