The invention pertains to the use of one or more of uridine and cytidine, or salts, phosphates, acyl derivatives or esters thereof in the manufacture of a composition for treating, preventing or reducing the risk of occurrence of white matter lesions, white matter hyperintensities (WMH), Leukoaraiosis or periventricular white matter disease in elderly not suffering from a neurodegenerative disorder, preferably non-demented elderly and elderly not suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. It was found that with the compositions according to the invention Nogo-A protein levels could be controlled, particularly suppressed or reduced.