Table 4 Comparison of AD values (×10⁻⁴mm²s^− 1) of normal white matter or WMH with same Fazekas scale in different regions

Normal white matter

9.11 ± 0.82

11.70 ± 1.15^**

8.63 ± 0.84

9.41 ± 0.64

< 0.001

0.518

WMH of Fazekas scale 1

12.16 ± 0.62

12.37 ± 1.12

10.44 ± 1.19^**

10.62 ± 1.23^**

< 0.001

0.438

WMH of Fazekas scale 2

13.48 ± 0.71

12.96 ± 1.03

10.92 ± 1.41^**

11.18 ± 1.14^**

< 0.001

0.506

WMH of Fazekas scale 3

14.10 ± 0.78

14.76 ± 0.91

12.96 ± 1.32^*

11.57 ± 0.75^**

< 0.001

0.556