Research progress of cerebral microbleed and cognitive impairment / 中国医师杂志

Cerebral microbleed (CMB) is a type of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Recently studies have found that there is a certain relationship between CMB and cognitive impairment. This article mainly reviews the etiology of CMB, the relationship between CMB and cognitive impairment, CMB and cognitive disorders and the possible mechanism of CMB-related cognitive impairment, in order to improve the understanding of cognitive impairment caused by CMB.

Clinical analysis of a case of central nervous system intravascular lymphoma with multiple intracerebral microbleeds and literature review / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features and imaging differential diagnosis of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) in the central nervous system (CNS).Methods:A case of CNS IVLBCL with multiple intracerebral microbleeds (CMBs) diagnosed in the Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University in 2017 was reported. The clinical and imaging data, histological and immunohistochemical markers were retrospectively analyzed, and the relevant literature was reviewed.Results:The patient was a 31-year-old woman presented with headache and seizures. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multifocal lesions involving mainly the cortical and subcortical white matter (bilateral cerebral hemisphere and right cerebellar hemisphere), hyperintense signal on T 2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images, with hypointense signal on T 1-weigthed and diffusion-weighted images and contrast enhancement in some lesions. The susceptibility weighted imaging revealed multifocal cortical or subcortical hypointense lesions, involving mainly the subcortical white matter. Brain magnetic resonance angiography was normal. Brain magnetic resonance venography showed left side transverse sinus was hypoplastic. Cranial magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed decreased N-acetylaspartylglutamate peak, elevated choline peak and inverted lipid double peak. Her symptoms and the lesions once improved after starting steroid treatment. However, CNS recurrence occurred after 1 week of steroid withdrawal. She underwent the biopsy of the right frontotemporal lobe. The pathological examination showed multiple microscopic hemorrhages and edema scattered in the brain tissue. A large number of heterologous mononuclear cells were aggregated in small blood vessels in the parenchyma and meninges. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the tumor was negative for Epstein-Barr virus encoded small RNAs, CD 3, CD 10, cytokeratin and CD 138, and positive for CD 20, CD 79α, B-cell lymphoma (BCL)-2, BCL-6, myelocytomatosis oncogene (C-myc) and multiple myeloma oncogene-1 (MUM-1). The Ki67 proliferation index was about 70%. The diagnosis of IVLBCL was confirmed. Conclusions:IVLBCL in CNS is a rare and swiftly progressive disease with poor prognosis. Its clinical symptoms and imaging are nonspecific. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical. Biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis. Random skin biopsy may be helpful for the early diagnosis. Furthermore, regarding the cause of multiple CMBs, the possibility of IVLBCL should be considered in the differential diagnosis, in addition to the common causes, such as primary angiitis of the CNS and cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

Study on imaging features of asymptomatic cerebral small vessel disease and related factors in the elderly population / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the incidence, neuroimaging features, and related factors for asymptomatic cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD)in the elderly population.Methods:A total of 201 elderly people with no neurological disease history who had undergone brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)examination from October 2019 to August 2020 were enrolled.We calculated the total CSVD score for each participant based on lacunar infarcts(LIs), white matter hyperintensities(WMH), enlarged perivascular spaces(EPVS), and cerebral microbleeds(CMBs)(0-4 points).CSVD neuroimaging features and the correlation between CSVD markers and clinical variables were analyzed.Results:In this study, 133 cases(66.2%)showed MRI features consistent with CSVD.Of whom, LIs were present in 44(21.9%), high-grade PVWMH in 88(43.8%), high-grade DWMH in 30(14.9%), basal ganglia EPVS in 61(30.3%), and CMBs in 92(45.8%).Total CSVD burden score( OR=1.876, 95% CI: 1.045-3.364, χ2=4.441, P=0.035), PVWMH( OR=2.821, 95% CI: 1.517-5.244, χ2=10.752, P=0.001), DWMH( OR=2.130, 95% CI: 1.108-4.092, χ2=5.145, P=0.023), and EPVS( OR=3.258, 95% CI: 1.675-6.334, χ2=12.129, P=0.000)were associated with hypertension.Total CSVD burden score, PVWMH, DWMH, EPVS, and CMB were correlated with increasing age( P<0.05).LIs was positively correlated with PVWMH( b=0.231, P=0.001), DWMH( b=0.247, P=0.000)and EPVS( b=0.215, P=0.001).There was a positive relationship between PVWMH and DWMH( b=0.546, P=0.000)as well as EPVS( b=0.388, P=0.000).DWMH was also positively correlated with EPVS( b=0.357, P=0.000)and CMB( b=0.177, P=0.009). Conclusions:The incidence of asymptomatic CSVD is high in the elderly population.The total CSVD score is a useful measure to evaluate asymptomatic cerebral small vessel disease in the elderly population.Neuroimaging features of asymptomatic CSVD are mainly correlated with age and hypertension.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura complicated with multiple cerebral infarction: report of two cases / 中华神经科杂志

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare hematological disease with typical clinical manifestations of thrombocytopenic purpura, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, neurological symptoms, fever and kidney damage. Two patients with TTP-associated cerebral infarction complicated with microhemorrhage and their shared specific imaging findings manifestations were reported. The magnetic resonance imaging of the 2 patients showed multiple cerebral infarctions at different stages. Susceptibility-weighted imaging showed cerebral microbleeds in the infarcted area. This special imaging feature can provide important clues for early identification and diagnosis of TTP nervous system injury.

Relationship between cerebral small vessel disease and thyroid hormones in the elderly / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the relationship between cerebral small vessel disease and thyroid hormones in the elderly.Methods:A total of 314 subjects aged ≥60 years with records of head magnetic resonance image(MRI), serum thyroid function tests and physical examinations collected in the Department of Health Care Neurology of Beijing Hospital from May 2019 to November 2020 were consecutively included for this cross-sectional study.Participants were assigned into the cerebral small vessel disease group if their head MRI presentations met the following standards: the Fazekas score ≥3 points; the Fazekas score ≥2 points, with 1 cavity; new subcortical infarcts; or cerebral microhemorrhage.Differences in thyroid function were compared between the cerebrovascular disease group(n=129)and the group without cerebrovascular disease(control group, n=185).Results:A total of 314 subjects were enrolled, of whom 129 met the head MRI standards for cerebrovascular disease, and 185 who did not meet the standards entered the control group.Comparison of thyroid function found a statistically significant difference in FT3( t=3.270, P=0.001)between the two groups.As for the association of a specific type of cerebral small vessel disease with thyroid function, there was a statistically significant difference in the FT3 level between the lacunar infarction group and the non-lacunar infarction group( t=3.106, P=0.002)and between the cerebral microhemorrhage group and the non-cerebral microhemorrhage group( t=2.125, P=0.034). Groups with different Fazekas scores in white matter hyperintensity showed statistically significant differences in rT3( F=3.092, P=0.027), FT3( F=5.427, P=0.001)and FT4( F=2.646, P=0.049). After correction for hyperlipidemia, rT3 and FT4, it was found that age( OR=1.044, 95% CI: 1.022-1.067, P=0.000), hypertension( OR=0.533, 95% CI: 0.294-0.963, P=0.037)and FT3( OR=0.276, 95% CI: 0.159-0.478, P=0.000)were related to cerebral small vessel disease. Conclusions:FT3 levels at the lower end of the normal range are associated with cerebral small vessel disease in the elderly.

Research progress on the relationship between antiplatelet drugs and cerebral microbleeds / 中华神经科杂志

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are a subclinical terminal microvascular disease in which the blood exudates or leaks out from the tiny blood vessels and the small lesions were formed by the deposition of hemosiderin in the brain tissue. The pathogenesis of cerebral microbleeds is different depending on the location, with lobar CMBs attributed to cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), while cerebrovascular diseases caused by hypertension are an important cause of deep and subtentorium CMBs. The prevalence of CMBs in stroke patients is high, especially in patients with ischemic stroke treated with oral antiplatelet drugs, and long-term (>5 years) treatment may be related to CMBs and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) events. At the same time, a certain burden of microbleeds may cause risk of ICH in the future, but whether the bleeding risk of antiplatelet treatment overweighs the clinical benefit of antithrombotic therapy remains unclear. How to better instruct antiplatelet therapy in patients with ischemic stroke warrants further clinical investigations.

Study on the correlation between platelet distribution width and cerebral microbleeds in the middle-aged and elderly population / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlation between platelet distribution width(PDW)and cerebral microbleeds(CMB)in the middle-aged and elderly population.Methods:A total of 2 839 subjects who underwent cranial magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)examination at Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University from May 2016 to December were enrolled in this cross-sectional study.According to MRI results, subjects were divided into the CMB group(n=525)and the non-CMB group(n=2 314). Clinical data and PDW levels were compared between the two groups.CMB-related factors were analyzed by using a logistic regression equation.A receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the value of PDW levels in predicting the incidence of CMB.Results:The percentage of males, the proportion of smokers, the number of subjects with diabetes and serum creatinine levels were higher in the CMB group than in the non-CMB group[(55.05%(289/525) vs.45.12%(1 044/2 314), 42.67%(224/525) vs.34.67%(802/2 314), 12.76%(67/525) vs.9.51%(220/2 314), (68.91±21.38)μmol/L vs.(66.45±15.40)μmol/L, all P<0.05]. PDW levels were higher in the CMB group than in the non-CMB group(15.52±2.49)% vs.(14.67±2.90)%, χ2=93.75, P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the PDW level was an independent risk factor for CMB in the middle-aged and elderly population( OR=1.13, P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve(AUC)of PDW in predicting the incidence of CMB was 0.582, and with 15.95% as the optimal threshold value, the sensitivity and specificity were 75.0% and 41.8%.Patients were divided into the high PDW sub-group(n=1 691)and the low PDW sub-group(n=1 083)based on the PDW cutoff at 15.95%.The number of CMB and the incidence of CMB were higher in the high PDW group than in the low PDW group(0.75 vs.0.48, 23.3% or 394/1 691 vs.12.1% or 131/1 083, χ2=30.37 and 51.28, P<0.05). Conclusions:PDW levels are high in middle-aged and elderly patients with CMB, and elevated PDW levels are an independent risk factor for CMB.

miR-22 and cerebral microbleeds in brainstem and deep area are associated with depression one month after ischemic stroke

In this study, we aimed to explore the relationship among miR-22, deep cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and post-stroke depression (PSD) 1 month after ischemic stroke. We consecutively recruited 257 patients with first-ever and recurrent acute cerebral infarction and performed PSD diagnosis in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV criteria for depression. Clinical information, assessments of stroke severity, and imaging data were recorded on admission. We further detected plasma miR-22 using quantitative PCR and analyzed the relationship among miR-22, clinical data, and PSD using SPSS 23.0 software. Logistic regression showed that deep (OR=1.845, 95%CI: 1.006-3.386, P=0.047) and brain stem CMBs (OR=2.652, 95%CI: 1.110-6.921, P=0.040), as well as plasma miR-22 levels (OR=2.094, 95%CI: 1.066-4.115, P=0.032) were independent risk factors for PSD. In addition, there were significant differences in baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (OR=1.881, 95%CI: 1.180-3.011, P=0.007) and Widowhood scores (OR=1.903, 95%CI: 1.182-3.063, P=0.012). Analysis of the receiver operating curve (AUC=0.723, 95%CI: 0.562-0.883, P=0.016) revealed that miR-22 could predict PSD one month after ischemic stroke. Furthermore, plasma miR-22 levels in brainstem and deep CMBs patients showed an upward trend (P=0.028) relative to the others. Patients with acute ischemic stroke, having brainstem and deep cerebral microbleeds, or a higher plasma miR-22 were more likely to develop PSD. These findings indicate that miR-22 might be involved in cerebral microvascular impairment and post-stroke depression.

Coexistence of Cerebral Microbleeds and Amyloid Pathology in Patients with Cognitive Complaints

The analysis of risk factors for cerebral microbleeds in cerebral infarction patients / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To analyze the risk factors of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in acute cerebral infarction patients. Methods We consecutively included 255 acute cerebral infarction patients who were admitted in Neurology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2014 to December 2016. According to the number and location of CMBs, the patients were divided into infratentorial, cortical and deep cerebral groups, each of which included non-mild and moderate-severe subgroups. The differences of the level of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and some common arteriosclerotic risk factors were analyzed between subgroups, and the multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. Results A total of 140 subjects (54.9%) had CMBs. In the infratentorial group, the proportion of patients who were with low eGFR level in the moderate-severe CMBs subgroup was higher than in the non-mild CMBs subgroup (P=0.024). The low eGFR level (OR=3.874, 95% CI:1.261～11.901, P=0.018) and the long duration of hypertension (OR=2.128, 95%CI: 1.004～4.510, P=0.018) were the independent risk factors of the moderate-severe infratentorial CMBs. Conclusion The low eGFR level and long duration of hypertension are risk factors for the moderate and severe infratentorial CMBs after acute ischemic stroke.

Relationship between cerebral microbleeds and glomerular filtration rate in patients with lacunar infarction / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To investigate the early warning effect of glomerular filtration rate on cerebralmicrobleeds (CMBs) in patients with lacunar infarction. Methods A retrospective study was performed. One hundred and sixty-eight patients with lacunar infarction from January 2015 to January 2018 were selected in Tai′an Central Hospital. The CMBs group and non-CMBs group were classified according to susceptibility weighted imaging. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was obtained. According to the MDRD formula, the indicators of renal dysfunction in patients with different degrees of cerebral microbleeds were compared, and the related risk factors of cerebral microbleeds were analyzed by single factor and multivariate analysis. Results The blood high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was significantly higher in CMBs group than that in non-CMBs group: (4.29 ± 3.86) mg/L vs. (2.58 ± 2.74) mg/L, P < 0.01. The proportion of patients with elevated eGFR in CMBs group was significantly higher than that in non-CMBs group: 40.7%(33/81) vs. 11.4%(10/88), P<0.01. There were significant differences in the proportion of hypertension history [83.3% (50/60) vs. 52.4% (11/21), χ2＝6.947,P＝0.008], serum creatinine(SCr) value[(113.75 ± 71.23) μmol/L vs. (75.38 ± 38.36) μmol/L, t＝－2.346,P＝0.021] and eGFR value [(91.58 ± 31.87) ml/(min·1.73 m2) vs. (109.95 ± 29.47) ml/(min·1.73 m2),t＝2.316,P＝0.023] between CMBs groups with different distribution (P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the history of hypertension ( OR＝5.408; 95% CI 1.518-19.267, P＝0.008) was the risk factor of CMBs in deep/ subtentorial group.The urea nitrogen (BUN)value increased (χ2＝28.150, P < 0.01), SCr value (χ2＝47.610, P < 0.01) increased, and eGFR value (χ2＝39.067,P<0.01) decreased with the severity of CMBs, and the differences were statistically significant. The proportion of CMBs in patients with eGFR decreased group(76.7% , 33/43) was significantly higher than that in normal eGFR group (38.1%, 48/126), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2＝19.188, P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis of multiple factors affecting cerebral microbleeds showed that history of hypertension ( OR＝3.135; 95% CI 1.343-7.321, P＝0.008), elevated hs-CRP( OR＝1.233; 95% CI 1.098-1.385, P < 0.01), eGFR decreased ( OR＝1.025; 95% CI 1.002-1.048, P＝0.033) were risk factors for cerebral microbleeds. The area under the ROC curve of eGRF was 0.694 (P＝0.042). Conclusions A history of hypertension is a risk factor for deep/infratentorial CMBs. Decreased glomerular filtration rate is an independent risk factor for cerebral microbleeds. Therefore, reminding clinicians to actively diagnose and treat patients with glomerular filtration rate decline has important clinical significance for preventing the occurrence and development of cerebral microbleeds.

Analysis of gene and imaging on a late onset Alzheimer's pedigree concomitant with presenilin 1 mutation / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To analyze the clinical manifestation,imaging data and genetics mutation variants of late onset familial Alzheimer's disease concomitant with a novel mutation of presenilin 1.Methods The clinical manifestations and auxiliary examination recordings of the pedigree were analyzed.DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of the proband and her sons.Mutational analysis was performed by the next-generation sequencing technology and the mutation event was confirmed by Sanger sequencing technology.Results Two patients of the family presenting as Alzheimer's dementia were late onset.MRI of the proband showed extensive cerebral microbleeds.The gene detection showed p.S289P mutation in the exon 8 of presenilin 1 of the proband.Conclusion Mutation of p.S289P in the presenilin 1 gene may contribute to late onset Alzheimer's disease accompanied by amyloid angiopathy.

Cerebral Microbleed Induced Seizure Misdiagnosed with Transient Ischemic Attack

Diagnosis of transient ischemic attack has been entirely dependent on the clinical history due to the absence of brain magnetic resonance imaging lesion. It is challenging to distinguish between transient ischemic attack and transient ischemic attack-mimics. Cerebral microbleeds would be found in 11.1–23.5% of incidental findings in elderly population. However, cerebral microbleeds have been known to lead to cognitive decline, dementia, seizure and even status epilepticus. We report a case of cerebral microbleeds induced epileptic seizure, visiting the emergency room with sudden onset unilateral motor weakness.

Correlation between post-stroke depression and cerebral microbleeds in elderly patients with ischemic stroke / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To investigate the correlation between post-stroke depression(PSD) and cerebral microbleeds(CMBs)in elderly patients with ischemic stroke.Methods In the prospective study,220 elderly patients with ischemic stroke were enrolled and followed up to one month after onset.Finally a total of 214 elderly patients performed a follow-up.According to DSM-Ⅳ Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,patients were divided into the PSD group and non-PSD group.The degree of depression was evaluated by17-item Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD-17)score,and patients were divided into mild depression,moderate depression and severe depression group.The loci number,distribution and location of CMBs lesions were assessed by SWI.Patients were divided into brain lobe type,deep lobe type and mixed type according to the CMBs lesion location.The influence of CMBs or not,loci number and location of CMBs lesions on PSD were compared.Results A total of 214 elderly patients with ischemic stroke were enrolled,in whom 84(84/214,39.3％)had PSD with 29(34.5％)males and 55(65.5％)females.According to the HAMD scale,there were 51 patients (60.7 ％) with mild depression,25 (29.8 ％) with moderate depression,and 8 (9.5 ％) with severe depression.The prevalence rate of CMBs was 62.5 ％ (32/51) in mild depression group,71.0 ％ (22/25) in moderate depression group,81.8 ％ (6/8)in severe depression group and 45.4 ％ (49/108)in non PSD group(all P=0.008).The number of CMBs lesions were(4.5±1.2)in mild depression group,(7.8± 2.0)in moderate depression group,(12.6±2.7)in severe depression group and(1.8±0.5)in non-PSD group,with the statistically significant differences between groups (F =2.79,P =0.041).The proportions of CMBs lesions location(brain lobe type,deep lobe type and mixed type)were 40.6 ％ (13/32),34.4％(11/32) and 25.0％ (8/32) in mild depression group,36.4％(8/22),40.9％(9/22) and 22.7％(5/22) in moderate depression group,33.3％ (2/6),50.0％ (3/6) and 16.7％ (1/6) in severe depression group,40.8％ (20/49),12.2％ (6/49) and 46.9％ (23/49) in non-PSD group,respectively (Fisher exact test,P =0.043).The proportions of CMBs lesions distribution(left side,right side and double side)were 37.5％(12/32),43.8％(14/32) and 18.8％(6/32) in mild depression group,36.4％ (8/22),40.9％ (9/22) and 22.7％ (5/22) in moderate depression group,50.0％ (3/6),33.3％ (2/6)and 16.7％(1/6) in severe depression group,36.7％(18/49),40.8％(20/49) and 22.5％(11/49) in non-PSD group,and the difference was not statistically significant (Fisher exact test,P =0.998).Conclusions The prevalence rate of CMBs,number of CMBs lesions and deep lobe type of CMBs are closely related to the degree of post-stroke depression in the elderly.The distribution of CMBs lesions has no relevance with the degree of post stroke depression in the elderly.Elderly patients with ischemic stroke at high risk of post-stroke depression can be identified by evaluating CMBs for early intervention,which is worthy of promotion in clinical work.

The Prevalence of Cerebral Microbleeds in Non-Demented Parkinson's Disease Patients

BACKGROUND: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are associated with cerebrovascular risk factors and cognitive dysfunction among patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, whether CMBs themselves are associated with PD is to be elucidated. METHODS: We analyzed the presence of CMBs using 3-Tesla brain magnetic resonance imaging in non-demented patients with PD and in age-, sex-, and hypertension-matched control subjects. PD patients were classified according to their motor subtypes: tremor-dominant, intermediate, and postural instability-gait disturbance (PIGD). Other cerebrovascular risk factors and small vessel disease (SVD) burdens were also evaluated. RESULTS: Two-hundred and five patients with PD and 205 control subjects were included. The prevalence of CMBs was higher in PD patients than in controls (16.1% vs. 8.8%; odds ratio [OR], 2.126; P = 0.019); CMBs in the lobar area showed a significant difference between PD patients and controls (11.7% vs. 5.9%; OR, 2.234; P = 0.032). According to the motor subtype, CMBs in those with PIGD type showed significant difference from controls with respect to the overall brain area (21.1% vs. 8.9%; OR, 2.759; P = 0.010) and lobar area (14.6% vs. 4.9%; OR, 3.336; P = 0.016). Among PD patients, those with CMBs had higher age and more evidence of SVDs than those without CMBs. CONCLUSION: We found that CMBs are more frequent in PD patients than in controls, especially in those with the PIGD subtype and CMBs on the lobar area. Further study investigating the pathogenetic significance of CMBs is required.

Characteristics of Cerebral Microbleeds

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are increasingly recognized neuroimaging findings, occurring with cerebrovascular disease, dementia, and aging. CMBs are associated with subsequent hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, and also with an increased risk of cognitive deterioration and dementia. They occur in the setting of impaired small vessel integrity due to hypertension or cerebral amyloid angiopathy. This review summarizes the concepts, cause or risk factors, histopathological mechanisms, and clinical consequences of CMBs.

Hypertension-Induced Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Leading to Cognitive Impairment / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Objective</b>Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia are responsible for more than 80% of dementia cases. These two conditions share common risk factors including hypertension. Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is strongly associated with both hypertension and cognitive impairment. In this review, we identify the pathophysiological changes in CSVD that are caused by hypertension and further explore the relationship between CSVD and cognitive impairment.</p><p><b>Data Sources</b>We searched and scanned the PubMed database for recently published literatures up to December 2017. We used the keywords of "hypertension", "cerebral small vessel disease", "white matter lesions", "enlarged perivascular spaces", "lacunar infarcts", "cerebral microbleeds", and "cognitive impairment" in the database of PubMed.</p><p><b>Study Selection</b>Articles were obtained and reviewed to analyze the hypertension-induced pathophysiological changes that occur in CSVD and the correlation between CSVD and cognitive impairment.</p><p><b>Results</b>In recent years, studies have demonstrated that hypertension-related changes (e.g., small vascular lesions, inflammatory reactions, hypoperfusion, oxidative stress, damage to autoregulatory processes and the blood-brain barrier, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy) can occur over time in cerebral small vessels, potentially leading to lower cognitive function when blood pressure (BP) control is poor or lacking. Both isolated and co-occurrent CSVD can lead to cognitive deterioration, and this effect may be attributable to a dysfunction in either the cholinergic system or the functionality of cortical and subcortical tracts.</p><p><b>Conclusions</b>We explore the currently available evidence about the hypertensive vasculopathy and inflammatory changes that occur in CSVD. Both are vital prognostic indicators of the development of cognitive impairment. Future studies should be performed to validate the relationship between BP levels and CSVD progression and between the numbers, volumes, and anatomical locations of CSVD and cognitive impairment.</p>

The Prevalence and Characterization of Cerebral Microbleeds in Young People Having Intracerebral Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are known as the neuroimaging markers of risk in stroke and dementia. Many studies on CMBs in elderly patients with hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke have been reported; however, reports on CMBs in young populations with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 272 patients aged 18–54 years presented to our hospital with ICH between December 2009 and August 2017. Among these, CMB presence, count, and topography with respect to ICH were evaluated on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gradient echo images (GREs). We also evaluated the prevalence and risk factors of CMBs. RESULTS: Among 272 patients, only 66 underwent GRE T2-weighted MRI. CMBs were detected in 40 patients (61%), with 29 (73%) being of the multifocal type. Among the 219 CMBs, 150 (68.5%) were of the deep type and 69 (31.5%) of the lobar type. CMB prevalence was higher in men. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, history of hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.048; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14–14.32; p = 0.030), and male sex (aOR, 4.233; 95% CI, 1.09–16.48; p = 0.037) were independently associated with CMBs. CONCLUSION: In young patients who presented with spontaneous ICH, CMBs were highly prevalent in 61% of patients and strongly associated with history of hypertension and male sex.

Correlation study between cerebral microbleeds and white matter lesions in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To explore distribution characteristics and risk factors of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs),and the correlation between CMBs and white matter lesions (WML) in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease(ICVD).Methods 180 patients with ICVD in neurology department of Hebei General Hospital from February 2015 to January 2017 were recruited.Those patients were underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),and magnetic susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI).Recorded the baseline data and risk factors of high blood pressure,diabetes,hyperlipidemia,and high homocysteine were recorded.Patients with CMBs were counted and graded to understand the characteristics of CMBs distribution.Logisitic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors.ICVD patients were divided into CMBs group and non CMBs group.CMBs group was further divided into 4 groups according to the severity,which was divided into level 1-3.The correlation between CMBs influencing factors and classification was further studied.Then patients with ICVD were divided into WML group and non WML group.WML group scored each region with age-related white matter changes rating scale (ARWMCrs).The correlation between WML and CMBs classification was further studied.Results (1) The overall prevalence of CMBs in patients with ICVD was 61.7％ (111/180).The most common location of CMBs in patients with ICVD was the cortical and subcortical regions (80/111,72.1％),followed by the basal ganglia and thalamus regions (61/111,55.0％),and the infratentorial regions(38/111,34.2％).The difference between them were significant (x2 =32.061,P=0.000).In cortical and subcortical regions of CMBs,temporal lobe was the most common (61.3％).(2) Age(B=0.046,Or=1.047,95％CI =1.017～ 1.077,P=0.002) and the high homocysteine (B =1.458,Or=4.299,95％ CI =2.114 ～ 8.744,P＜0.001) were the risk factors for CMBs.(3) Four classification of CMBs was positively correlated with and WML total score (r=0.393,P=0.393).Conclusion The temporal lobe was the most common region for CMBs in patients with ICVD.Age and high homocysteine were risk factors for CMBs.With the increase of WML total score,severity of CMBs was also increased.

The research progress of cerebral microbleeds / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs),as an important imaging marker of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD),is a subclinical damage caused by small hemosiderin deposits indicative of prior cerebral microscopic hemorrhage.In recent years,CMBs have become an important research issue in the field of neuroimaging with the development of newer magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods for the higher detection rate of the CMBs.It must to be mentioned that CMBs plays a crucial role in the formatting process of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI),which caused researcher's attention.This review focuses on the research progress in epidemiological status,pathological mechanisms,risk factors,imaging manifestations,clinical features and treatment therapies of CMBs,in order to provide theoretical references for the early detection,prevention and treatment of CSVD and VCI.