Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Lesion Explorer: A Video-guided, Standardized Protocol for Accurate and Reliable MRI-derived Volumetrics in Alzheimer's Disease and Normal Elderly
12:50

Lesion Explorer: A Video-guided, Standardized Protocol for Accurate and Reliable MRI-derived Volumetrics in Alzheimer's Disease and Normal Elderly

Published on: April 14, 2014

Microbleed topography, leukoaraiosis, and cognition in probable Alzheimer disease from the Sunnybrook dementia study

Jacqueline A Pettersen1, Gayathri Sathiyamoorthy, Fu-Qiang Gao

  • 1Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, A421-2075 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada. jacqui.pettersen@utoronto.ca

Archives of Neurology
|June 11, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Microbleeds, often multiple, are frequent in Alzheimer disease (AD) patients and show a distinct occipital lobe pattern. These findings highlight the complex vasculopathy in AD.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Neurology
  • Vascular Dementia

Background:

  • Microbleeds, visualized by T2*-weighted gradient-recalled echo (GRE) imaging, represent hemosiderin deposits around small cerebral vessels.
  • Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with complex underlying pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency and topographical distribution of microbleeds in individuals with probable AD.
  • To assess the association between microbleeds, leukoaraiosis, and cognitive function in AD.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control, cross-sectional analysis was performed using GRE imaging to count microbleeds.
  • Leukoaraiosis was evaluated using the Age-Related White Matter Changes Rating Scale (ARWMC) on T2-weighted and proton density-weighted scans.
  • Cognitive performance was assessed using standardized neuropsychological tests.

Main Results:

  • Microbleeds were observed in 29% of AD patients versus 12% of controls, frequently occurring as multiple lesions (48% in AD).
  • A significant lobar predominance of microbleeds was noted in AD patients (92%), particularly in the occipital lobes (57%).
  • AD patients with microbleeds exhibited higher ARWMC scores, with correlations found between microbleeds and total/parietooccipital ARWMC scores.

Conclusions:

  • The study identified an occipital predominance of microbleeds and associated parietooccipital leukoaraiosis in AD, a pattern not extensively documented previously.
  • Microbleeds were frequent, often multiple, and correlated with increased leukoaraiosis, suggesting a role in AD vasculopathy.
  • Further research in dementia and stroke populations is warranted to elucidate the implications of these vascular findings in AD.

More Related Videos

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions07:30

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions

Published on: April 23, 2021

Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia09:17

Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia

Published on: November 6, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Dementia l: Introduction01:22

Dementia l: Introduction

Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview01:26

Alzheimer's Disease: Overview

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction01:29

Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction

Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
Dementia01:30

Dementia

Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment01:22

Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment

Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...