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Arterial stiffness and progression of structural brain changes: The SMART-MR study
Hadassa M Jochemsen1, Majon Muller1, Michiel L Bots1
1From the Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (H.M.J., M.M., M.L.B., Y.v.d.G., M.I.G.), Image Sciences Institute (K.L.V.), and Department of Radiology (W.P.T.M.M.), University Medical Center Utrecht; the Alzheimer Center & Department of Neurology (H.M.J., P.S.), Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center; and the Department of Geriatrics/Internal Medicine (M.M.), Leids University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
Arterial stiffness in patients with manifest arterial disease was linked to brain atrophy and lesions at one point in time. However, this stiffness did not predict future changes in brain structure over four years.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Arterial stiffness is a marker of cardiovascular disease.
- Structural brain changes are common in patients with arterial disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between arterial stiffness and brain structure.
- To determine if arterial stiffness predicts future brain changes.
Main Methods:
- 526 patients with manifest arterial disease underwent carotid artery distension measurements and brain MRI.
- 308 patients had follow-up brain MRI after 4.1 years.
- Brain volumes and white matter lesions (WML) were quantified; infarcts were assessed.
Main Results:
- Cross-sectionally, decreased carotid distension (increased stiffness) correlated with smaller brain volumes, larger WML volume, and more nonlacunar infarcts.
- Prospectively, carotid distension did not predict progression of brain atrophy, WML volume, or infarcts.
Conclusions:
- Carotid artery stiffness is associated with existing brain atrophy, WML, and infarcts in patients with arterial disease.
- Arterial stiffness did not appear to drive the progression of these brain changes over a 4-year period.
