Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Abbiategrasso Brain Bank Protocol for Collecting, Processing and Characterizing Aging Brains
Published on: June 3, 2020
The topography of cortical microbleeds in frontotemporal lobar degeneration: a post-mortem 7.0-tesla magnetic
J De Reuck1, F Auger, N Durieux
1J.L. De Reuck, Leopold II laan 96, BE-9000, Ghent, Belgium, phone: +32 9 2218844, fax: +32 9 3324971,
Introduction:
Cerebrovascular lesions are rare in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), in contrast to other neurodegenerative diseases. Cortical microbleeds (CoMBs) are frequent in Alzheimer's disease, in particular in cases associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. The present study investigates the gyral topographic distribution of CoMBs in post-mortem FTLD brains with 7.0-tesla magnetic resonance imaging.
Material And Methods:
The distribution of CoMBs in 11 post-mortem FTLD brains and in 12 control brains was compared on T2*-GRE MRI of six coronal sections of a cerebral hemisphere. The mean values of CoMBs were determined in twenty-two different gyri. The findings were correlated to those separately observed on neuropathological examination.
Results:
As a whole there was a trend of more CoMBs in the prefrontal section of FTLD as well as of the control brains. CoMBs were significantly increased in the superior frontal gyrus and the insular cortex (p ≤ 0.001) and also in the inferior frontal gyrus and the superior temporal gyrus (p ≤ 0.01).
Conclusions:
CoMBs in FTLD are only increased in the regions mainly affected by the neurodegenerative lesions. They probably do not reflect additional cerebrovascular disease.
Insights
Cortical microbleeds (CoMBs) are not more prevalent in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) overall, but are increased in specific brain regions affected by neurodegeneration. This suggests CoMBs in FTLD do not indicate additional cerebrovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuropathology
- Neurodegenerative Diseases
Background:
- Cerebrovascular lesions are uncommon in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), unlike other neurodegenerative conditions.
- Cortical microbleeds (CoMBs) are prevalent in Alzheimer's disease, particularly with cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
- FTLD is characterized by neurodegenerative changes primarily affecting the frontal and temporal lobes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the gyral topographic distribution of cortical microbleeds (CoMBs) in post-mortem FTLD brains.
- To compare CoMB distribution in FTLD with control brains using high-resolution MRI.
- To correlate MRI findings with neuropathological examination results.
Main Methods:
- 11 post-mortem FTLD brains and 12 control brains were analyzed using 7.0-tesla MRI (T2*-GRE sequence).
- CoMBs were quantified in six coronal sections of the cerebral hemisphere, with mean values calculated for twenty-two distinct gyri.
- Findings were correlated with neuropathological examination data.
Main Results:
- A trend of increased CoMBs was observed in the prefrontal sections of both FTLD and control brains.
- Significantly elevated CoMBs were found in the superior frontal gyrus and insular cortex (p ≤ 0.001).
- Increased CoMBs were also noted in the inferior frontal gyrus and superior temporal gyrus (p ≤ 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Cortical microbleeds in FTLD are concentrated in neurodegeneration-affected regions.
- The presence of CoMBs in FTLD likely reflects the underlying neurodegenerative process rather than additional cerebrovascular disease.
- This finding helps differentiate the pathology of FTLD from other neurodegenerative diseases with different vascular profiles.
