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Asymptomatic cerebral microbleeds seen in healthy subjects have a strong association with asymptomatic lacunar

Michiya Igase1, Yasuharu Tabara, Keiji Igase

  • 1Department of Geriatric Medicine, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Sitsukawa, Toon 791-0295, Japan. migase@m.ehime-u.ac.jp

Circulation Journal : Official Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society
|January 20, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Cerebral microbleeds (CMB) are common in healthy individuals and linked to silent lacunar infarction (SLI). Hypertension and age are associated with CMB, suggesting similar causes for both conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Radiology
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Cerebral microbleeds (CMB) are visible on MRI and are a risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).
  • CMBs can occur in neurologically healthy individuals who are also at risk for stroke, including cerebral infarction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of CMB in a cohort of neurologically healthy individuals.
  • To explore the association between CMB and silent lacunar infarction (SLI), hypertension, and other risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • Gradient-echo T2-weighted MRI was used to detect CMB in 377 neurologically healthy participants.
  • Statistical analyses, including correlation and logistic regression, were performed to identify associated factors.

Main Results:

  • CMB was detected in 5.6% of participants, predominantly associated with hypertension.
  • CMB showed a positive correlation with age and systolic blood pressure (SBP).
  • Silent lacunar infarction (SLI) was the strongest factor associated with CMB; individuals with both CMB and SLI had higher SBP.

Conclusions:

  • The underlying causes of CMB appear to be similar to those of SLI.
  • CMB and SLI share common etiological pathways, potentially related to vascular health and hypertension.

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