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Basal ganglia cerebral microbleeds and global cognitive function: the Kashima Scan Study

Yusuke Yakushiji1, Tomoyuki Noguchi2, Andreas Charidimou3

  • 1Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Saga University Faculty of Medicine, Saga, Japan; Stroke Research Group, Department of Brain Repair & Rehabilitation, UCL Institute of Neurology and The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom.

Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases : the Official Journal of National Stroke Association
|December 18, 2014
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Deep or infratentorial cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in the basal ganglia (BG) are strongly linked to impaired cognitive function. This association is independent of CMBs in other brain regions, highlighting BG CMBs as a key indicator.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Previous research linked deep or infratentorial (D/I) cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) to cognitive function in Japanese healthy individuals.
  • Further investigation was conducted to explore the impact of D/I CMB distribution on global cognitive function using gradient-echo magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between the specific locations of D/I CMBs and global cognitive function.
  • To determine if CMBs in the basal ganglia (BG), thalamus, or infratentorial area differentially impact cognitive performance.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis included 1392 subjects: those without CMBs (n=1335), with D/I CMBs in the basal ganglia (BG group, n=33), thalamus (n=14), or infratentorial area (n=10).
  • Subjects with strictly lobar CMBs were excluded, but could be included if they also had D/I CMBs.
  • Global cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), with impairment defined as scores <27 or >1.5 standard deviations below the mean.

Main Results:

  • Multivariable logistic regression identified hypertension and severe white matter hyperintensities associated with BG and thalamus CMB groups.
  • Only the BG group showed a consistent association with impaired MMSE scores (score <27: OR 5.96; score >1.5 SDs below mean: OR 3.34).
  • The BG group exhibited lower adjusted mean scores for total MMSE and the "attention and calculation" subtest compared to subjects without CMBs.

Conclusions:

  • Basal ganglia (BG) CMBs demonstrated a significant association with global cognitive function in this study.
  • This association was independent of CMBs located in other brain regions, emphasizing the specific role of BG CMBs.
Keywords:
Cerebral microbleedsbasal gangliacognitive dysfunctionmagnetic resonance imagingsmall vessel disease

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