You or your loved one may need assistance with daily living due to the impact of CADASIL strokes.
Treatment can help prevent strokes and manage symptoms.
Genetic testing can help in family planning.
Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health
This condition isinheritedin an autosomal dominant pattern.
This means that anyone who inherits even one copy of the altered gene will develop the disease.
Variations in CADASIL
Many different mutations (alterations) in the NOTCH3 gene can cause CADASIL.
The effects can vary slightly between the different genetic alterations.
CADASIL Symptom Progression
The first effects of CADASIL generally begin during adulthood.
The symptoms of CADASIL correlate to the region in the brain thats damaged by a stroke.
Symptoms of CADASIL strokes can include:
A stroke may cause sudden symptoms that improve slightly over time.
Dementia has many causes, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
In vascular dementia, multiple strokes throughout the brain interfere with cognitive abilities.
Thinking, memory, and problem-solving require coordination between areas throughout the brain.
If you havent had any family history of CADASIL, the diagnosis may take a while.
Treatment for Symptom Management
The treatments for CADASIL are directed to stroke prevention and management stroke effects.
It can be hard to predict how long a person will survive after diagnosis of CADASIL.
You dont have to cope all by yourself.
Seek support from professionals or from others who are living with the same condition.
You may consider learning about clinical trials so that you might have access to emerging treatment options.
Additionally, you’re able to look for information through the CADASIL support groups andthrough the NINDS.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.CADASIL.
2022;24(3):352-362. doi:10.5853/jos.2022.01578
National Organization of Rare Disorders.CADASIL.
Gravesteijn G, Hack RJ, Opstal AMV, et al.Eighteen-year disease progression and survival in CADASIL.J Stroke.
2021;23(1):132-134. doi:10.5853/jos.2020.04112
