Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years * Evidence of cerebral small vessel disease on brain MRI, defined as white matter hyperintensities (Fazekas grade 1-3) * Assignment to one of the following study groups based on MRI findings: * cerebral small vessel disease without evidence of an acute ischemic stroke * cerebral small vessel disease with acute lacunar ischemic stroke * cerebral small vessel disease with acute territorial ischemic stroke * Ability to provide written informed consent * Sufficient German language skills to understand study procedures and assessments Exclusion Criteria: * Alternative plausible causes of white matter hyperintensities other than cerebral small vessel disease (e.g. inflammatory central nervous system disorders, leukodystrophies, brain tumors) * Known neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, other dementias) * Acute or recent traumatic brain injury * Contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Life expectancy of less than one year * Inability to comply with study procedures or follow-up visits