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Updated: Apr 12, 2026
Assessing Cortical Cerebral Microinfarcts on High Resolution MR Images
Published on: November 20, 2015
Cortical microinfarcts on 3T MRI: Clinical correlates in memory-clinic patients
Susanne J van Veluw1, Saima Hilal2, Hugo J Kuijf3
1Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Introduction:
This is the first study to assess cerebral microinfarcts (CMIs) on 3 tesla (3T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a memory clinic population.
Methods:
We included 238 consecutive patients (aged 72.5 ± 9.1 years) from a memory clinic in Singapore. All patients underwent extensive neurological and neuropsychological testing and 3T MRI on the same day. Cortical CMI rating criteria were adapted from a previous study on 7T MRI. We analyzed the frequency and association of cortical CMIs with demographic, clinical, cognition, and other MRI findings.
Results:
Seventy-five patients (32%) had cortical CMIs (median 1, range 1-43). Patients with CMIs showed worse cognitive functioning on MMSE, and in the domains of language and visuoconstruction. The presence of CMIs was related to other markers of small vessel disease, but most strongly larger cortical infarcts. Patients with CMIs were more often diagnosed with vascular dementia.
Discussion:
Cortical CMIs on 3T MRI are a novel marker of cerebrovascular disease in dementia.
Insights
Cerebral microinfarcts (CMIs) detected by 3T MRI are common in memory clinic patients. These CMIs correlate with cognitive decline and vascular dementia, indicating their role in cerebrovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Cerebrovascular Disease
Background:
- First study to evaluate cerebral microinfarcts (CMIs) using 3 tesla (3T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Focuses on a memory clinic population, offering insights into early cerebrovascular changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the frequency and clinical significance of cortical CMIs on 3T MRI in a memory clinic cohort.
- To explore associations between CMIs and demographic, cognitive, and other MRI findings.
Main Methods:
- Included 238 memory clinic patients (mean age 72.5 years) from Singapore.
- Utilized 3T MRI and adapted cortical CMI rating criteria from prior 7T MRI studies.
- Conducted comprehensive neurological, neuropsychological, and MRI assessments.
Main Results:
- 32% of patients had cortical CMIs (median 1, range 1-43).
- CMIs were associated with poorer performance in MMSE, language, and visuoconstruction.
- CMIs correlated with other small vessel disease markers, particularly larger cortical infarcts, and were linked to vascular dementia diagnoses.
Conclusions:
- Cortical CMIs identified via 3T MRI represent a significant, novel imaging biomarker.
- These findings highlight the utility of 3T MRI in detecting CMIs and their association with cerebrovascular disease in dementia.
