Objective To explore risk factors of different locational leukoaraiosis in elderly patients with cerebral infarction.Methods Patients were collected who aged 60 to 85 with cerebral infarctions came to the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University and took cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), T1, and T2].The patients were divided into periventricular white matter changes (PVWMCs) and deep white matter changes (DWMCs), and scored by Fazekas scale, respectively.We registered past medical history, medical systems and neurological examination, blood lipids, regular blood test, and resting blood pressure measurements in the morning.Univariate analysis was used to choose risk factors which ~fected white matter changes.After that, rank multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to test risk factors of PVWMCs and DWMCs, respectively.Results There were significant age differences in both PVWMCs and DWMCs, the degree of risk was associated with age.Conclusions PVWMCs and DWMCs risk factors vary, and we should take control of risk factors actively for the elderly in order to reduce the harm arising from WMC.