Chen L, et al. – Researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis utilizing clinical data from 358 elderly patients with white matter lesions (WML) to determine the link between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cognitive impairment in this population. They assessed patients’ cognitive function via Mini-Mental State Examination scales, and defined two groups: the cognitive impairment group and the normal cognition group. The cognitive impairment group vs the normal cognition group demonstrated a significantly higher proportion of MetS, as well as a higher proportion of MetS components: elevated blood pressure, blood glucose, and triglyceride levels; reduced HDL cholesterol levels; and higher abdominal obesity. In this study, MetS was identified as an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment in patients with WML.