Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a pathophysiological process involving small arteries such as cerebellar arteries, arterioles, capillaries, and veinlets. Imaging features vary; they are mainly composed of recent subcortical infarcts, lacunes of presumed vascular origin, white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) of presumed vascular origin, cerebral microbleeds, enlarged perivascular spaces, and global and regional brain atrophy. CSVD is a common cause of vascular cognitive dysfunction, and in its end stage, dementia often develops. CSVD has been a major research hotspot; however, its causes are poorly understood. Neuroimaging markers of CSVD can be used as the basis for etiological analysis. This review highlights the relevance of neuroimaging markers and cognitive impairment, providing a new direction for the early recognition, treatment, and prevention of cognitive dysfunction in small cerebral angiopathy.

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) refers to a type of syndrome caused by lesions in perforating arteries, small veins, small arteries, or capillaries, resulting in clinical, imaging, or pathological alterations. The occurrence and development of CSVD are related to various cerebrovascular risk factors, such as metabolism and genetic factors. CSVD is diagnosed based on brain imaging biomarkers; however, biomarkers capable of predicting and diagnosing CSVD early in its progression have not been found. Exploring biomarkers closely related to disease progression is of great significance for early diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, and treatment of CSVD. This article examines the research progress of CSVD biomarkers, from inflammatory biomarkers, coagulation and fibrinolysis markers, biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, biomarkers related to cerebrospinal fluid, and gene markers.