The load of white matter hyperintensities as potential signs of concomitant cerebral small vessel disease was determined by the total score on the ARWMC scale (n = 54 cases) and showed no significant correlation with plasma LCN2 as well (rho = 0.002, 95% CI −0.273 to 0.277, p = 0.988) (Additional file 1E). This evidence concerns the gene LCN2 and cerebral small vessel disease.