Brain microbleeds and global cognitive function in adults without neurological disorder

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroimaging
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Brain microbleeds (MBs) are increasingly recognized for their association with cognitive dysfunction.
• Previous research primarily focused on patients with diagnosed neurological disorders.
• This study investigates MBs in individuals without neurological disorders to elucidate pathogenic relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between brain microbleeds (MBs) and cognitive function in adults without neurological disorders.
• To clarify the pathogenic relationship between MBs and cognitive dysfunction by studying a non-neurological disorder cohort.
• To determine if MBs are associated with subnormal cognitive scores in a general health-screening population.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 518 consecutive adults without neurological disorders undergoing brain health screening.
• Gradient-echo T2*-weighted MRI (1.5-T) used for detecting brain microbleeds (MBs).
• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) administered; scores <27 or >1.5 SDs below age-related mean defined as subnormal.

Main Results:

• Brain microbleeds (MBs) detected in 6.8% of subjects.
• Presence and number of MBs significantly associated with subnormal MMSE scores (<27 and >1.5 SDs below mean).
• Cognitive domain of "attention and calculation" was significantly lower in MB-positive subjects.

Conclusions:

• Brain microbleeds (MBs) are significantly associated with global cognitive dysfunction.
• The findings suggest MBs play a role in cognitive impairment independent of diagnosed neurological disorders.
• MBs may represent an early indicator of cognitive decline in the general population.