Today I met a 55 yo woman who had a stroke 2 years ago.  She & I were talking & she said her neurologist said she had  a lot of " white matter" on her tests of her brain..... It got me thinking:  Has anyone else heard that term before?  I told her about mm, that mm causes "a puff of smoke" image on angios.  I don't want to scare her about mm but I know there are many of us who are misdiagnosed for years before we find the right one.   I'll see her again in a few weeks so, any opinions will be much appreciated!  deb

Hi Debs,
Not 100% sure as I am no doctor but I think the white matter is the area left on the brain after the stroke has occured, basically "killing" off the brain cells in this particular area.

I would get more information from a neuro to explain this as I am not sure if I am right
Moira

Hi debs...

White matter? [smiley=huh.gif]  Doesn't sound too good...but like Moira, I'm not a doctor.  I'm curious...what did her neurologist suggest she do about it?  The first thing that came to my mind was that maybe it was the white puff of smoke indicating MM, but I guess it could really be other things too...This is definitely something I would seek a second opinion on....

Sorry I didn't really answer your question... :-/

Take care,
Shan

All brains have white matter and grey matter.    I'm not sure what it would mean to have a lot of white matter... I found information about decreased white matter density (can be due to MS or other diseases)  but nothing about increased white matter density.   Anyway, here is a description of white matter that I found online that might help a little:

The White Matter regions of the central nervous system contrast with the Grey Matter regions. The White Matter refers to those parts of the brain and spinal cord that are responsible for communication between the various grey matter regions and between the grey matter and the rest of the body. In essence, the grey matter is where the processing is done and the white matter is the channels of communication.

By analolgy, the grey matter is like the CPU in a computer and the white matter is like the printed circuit board that connects it to the other parts of the computer.

The white matter is so-called because it contains lots of nerve fibres (neurons) that are sheathed in a white fatty insulating protein called myelin. In section, myelin is white whereas the grey matter is grey due to all the grey nuclei in the cells that make it up.

Multiple Sclerosis is predominantly a disease of the white matter in the central nervous system. About 95% of all lesions associated with multiple sclerosis occur in the white matter.

The white matter is found in the inner layer of the cortex, the optic nerves, the central and lower areas of the brain (notably the Brainstem) and surrounding the central shaft of grey matter in the spinal cord.

  Thanks Moira, Shan, & Kotipup!!  I now have a better idea of what "white matter" means....I knew I could count on all of you!!!  

   The lady I met belongs to a local (hospital based) stroke club & she invited me to come to it & share my knowledge of mm with them; she said they're always looking for guest speakers & stroke related topics. Their next open topic session will be Jan. or Feb.  I'm excited to get the word out; my old stroke club knew all about mm before I stopped going, due to the distance & I lost my ride to that hospital.    
   Thanks again!  deb