Adjusted for age, sex, alcohol, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes, lower ADAMTS13 activity and higher VWF level were related with high WMH [β= −6.26; 95% CI (−7.55, −2.82) p<0.01; β = 0.18; 95% CI (0.12, 0.25); p<0.01] and SI [β = −5.19; 95% CI (−7.55, −2.82) p<0.01; β = 0.13; 95% CI (0.07, 0.20); p<0.01]. The gene discussed is ADAMTS13; the disease is diabetes mellitus.