The following publication assessed blood Alpha Klotho (α-Klotho) levels in relation to deep white matter lesions (DWMLs) using brain MRI.

Association between α-Klotho and Deep White Matter Lesions in the Brain:
A Pilot Case Control Study Using Brain MRI. Kuriyama N et al. J Alzheimers Dis.
2018;61(1):145-155.

α-Klotho is an anti-aging protein and its role is well documented in chronic kidney diseases. Numerous studies were conducted in recent years to investigate its expression and beneficial effects to blood vessels, the brain in the cerebral choroid plexus and pituitary, kidneys, and lungs. Attempts for drug development targeting α-Klotho are now under way in United States.

This report, through a regional epidemiological study of elderly adults in Kyoto, Japan, revealed that reduced blood α-Klotho levels correlated with the grading of DWMLs and was accompanied by cognitive decline as well. It is of interest that the researchers concluded α-Klotho may serve as a useful clinical index of vascular cognitive impairment.

The researchers utilized the IBL α-Klotho ELISA Kit to measure blood samples.