Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy, usually called CADASIL, is an inherited condition that causes stroke and other impairments. This condition affects blood flow in small blood vessels, particularly cerebral vessels within the brain. The muscle cells surrounding these blood vessels (vascular smooth muscle cells) are abnormal and gradually die. In the brain, the resulting blood vessel damage (arteriopathy) can cause migraines, often with visual sensations or auras, or recurrent seizures (epilepsy).

Damaged blood vessels reduce blood flow and can cause areas of tissue death (infarcts) throughout the body. An infarct in the brain can lead to a stroke. In individuals with CADASIL, a stroke can occur at any time from childhood to late adulthood, but typically happens during mid-adulthood. People with CADASIL often have more than one stroke in their lifetime. Recurrent strokes can damage the brain over time. Strokes that occur in the subcortical region of the brain, which is involved in reasoning and memory, can cause progressive loss of intellectual function (dementia) and changes in mood and personality.

Many people with CADASIL also develop leukoencephalopathy, which is a change in a type of brain tissue called white matter that can be seen with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The age at which the signs and symptoms of CADASIL first begin varies greatly among affected individuals, as does the severity of these features.

CADASIL is not associated with the common risk factors for stroke and heart attack, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, although some affected individuals might also have these health problems.

CADASIL is likely a rare condition; however, its prevalence is unknown.

Mutations in the NOTCH3 gene cause CADASIL. The NOTCH3 gene provides instructions for producing the Notch3 receptor protein, which is important for the normal function and survival of vascular smooth muscle cells. When certain molecules attach (bind) to Notch3 receptors, the receptors send signals to the nucleus of the cell. These signals then turn on (activate) particular genes within vascular smooth muscle cells.

NOTCH3 gene mutations lead to the production of an abnormal Notch3 receptor protein that impairs the function and survival of vascular smooth muscle cells. Disruption of Notch3 functioning can lead to the self-destruction (apoptosis) of these cells. In the brain, the loss of vascular smooth muscle cells results in blood vessel damage that can cause the signs and symptoms of CADASIL.

Genetic Testing Information

• Genetic Testing Registry: Cerebral arteriopathy, autosomal dominant, with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy, type 1

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center

• Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy-subcortical infarcts-leukoencephalopathy

Patient Support and Advocacy Resources

• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

• CEREBRAL ARTERIOPATHY, AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT, WITH SUBCORTICAL INFARCTS AND LEUKOENCEPHALOPATHY, TYPE 1; CADASIL1

Scientific Articles on PubMed

• PubMed

• Buffon F, Porcher R, Hernandez K, Kurtz A, Pointeau S, Vahedi K, Bousser MG, Chabriat H. Cognitive profile in CADASIL. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2006 Feb;77(2):175-80. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2005.068726. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
• Dichgans M. Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy: phenotypic and mutational spectrum. J Neurol Sci. 2002 Nov 15;203-204:77-80. doi: 10.1016/s0022-510x(02)00270-8. Citation on PubMed
• Haritunians T, Boulter J, Hicks C, Buhrman J, DiSibio G, Shawber C, Weinmaster G, Nofziger D, Schanen C. CADASIL Notch3 mutant proteins localize to the cell surface and bind ligand. Circ Res. 2002 Mar 22;90(5):506-8. doi: 10.1161/01.res.0000013796.73742.c8. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
• Joutel A, Corpechot C, Ducros A, Vahedi K, Chabriat H, Mouton P, Alamowitch S, Domenga V, Cecillion M, Marechal E, Maciazek J, Vayssiere C, Cruaud C, Cabanis EA, Ruchoux MM, Weissenbach J, Bach JF, Bousser MG, Tournier-Lasserve E. Notch3 mutations in CADASIL, a hereditary adult-onset condition causing stroke and dementia. Nature. 1996 Oct 24;383(6602):707-10. doi: 10.1038/383707a0. Citation on PubMed
• Kalaria RN, Viitanen M, Kalimo H, Dichgans M, Tabira T; CADASIL Group of Vas-Cog. The pathogenesis of CADASIL: an update. J Neurol Sci. 2004 Nov 15;226(1-2):35-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2004.09.008. Citation on PubMed
• Louvi A, Arboleda-Velasquez JF, Artavanis-Tsakonas S. CADASIL: a critical look at a Notch disease. Dev Neurosci. 2006;28(1-2):5-12. doi: 10.1159/000090748. Citation on PubMed
• Opherk C, Peters N, Herzog J, Luedtke R, Dichgans M. Long-term prognosis and causes of death in CADASIL: a retrospective study in 411 patients. Brain. 2004 Nov;127(Pt 11):2533-9. doi: 10.1093/brain/awh282. Epub 2004 Sep 13. Citation on PubMed
• Rufa A, Guideri F, Acampa M, Cevenini G, Bianchi S, De Stefano N, Stromillo ML, Federico A, Dotti MT. Cardiac autonomic nervous system and risk of arrhythmias in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL). Stroke. 2007 Feb;38(2):276-80. doi: 10.1161/01.STR.0000254530.38417.07. Epub 2007 Jan 11. Citation on PubMed