Takeaway
Genetic predisposition for elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is associated with low risk of small vessel stroke (SVS) and a low volume of white matter hyperintensities (WMH), suggesting that therapies that raise HDL-C levels may buffer against cerebral small vessel disease (SVD).
Why this matters
SVD is a major causative factor for intracerebral hemorrhage, vascular dementia and ischemic stroke, yet the mechanisms that cause or exacerbate SVD remain largely unknown.