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Serum Lipid Fractions and Cerebral Microbleeds in a Healthy Japanese Population
Shingo Mitaki1, Atsushi Nagai, Hiroaki Oguro
1Department of Neurology, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo, Japan.
Background:
Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are associated with focal hemosiderin deposits and represent a form of cerebral small vessel disease. To date, indefinite and inconsistent reports are available regarding the association between serum lipid fractions and CMBs. In addition, these previous studies did not include Asian populations, who may have a higher risk of cerebral hemorrhage. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between serum lipid fractions and CMBs in healthy Japanese subjects.
Methods:
We performed a cross-sectional study involving 4,024 neurologically normal Japanese subjects (mean age 61.6 years). All the participants underwent 1.5-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scan, and CMBs were classified into 3 groups based on their locations. The concentrations of lipid fractions were categorized into quartiles and the association between the lipid fractions and CMBs were investigated using logistic regression analysis.
Results:
CMBs were observed in 164 (4.1%) of participants. Of these participants with CMBs, 33 (20.1%) had lobar CMBs and 91 (55.5%) had deep CMBs. Subjects with deep CMBs had lower total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. After adjusting for confounding factors, lower TC and HDL-C levels were still associated with the presence of deep CMBs (OR for the highest vs. the lowest quartiles of TC and HDL-C was 2.28 [95% CI 1.05-4.94], and 1.93 [95% CI 1.02-3.65], respectively). The presence of subcortical infarcts and periventricular hyperintensities was more frequently observed in deep CMBs, whereas white matter hyperintensities were more frequently observed in lobar CMBs.
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that low serum TC and HDL-C levels are closely associated with deep CMBs.
Insights
Low serum total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol are linked to deep cerebral microbleeds in Japanese adults. This finding is crucial for understanding cerebral small vessel disease risk in Asian populations.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Radiology
Background:
- Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are markers of cerebral small vessel disease.
- Previous studies on serum lipids and CMBs have yielded inconsistent results and lacked Asian population data.
- Asian populations may have a higher risk of cerebral hemorrhage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum lipid fractions and CMBs in healthy Japanese individuals.
- To address the gap in research concerning Asian populations and CMBs.
- To explore potential links between lipid profiles and specific CMB locations.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 4,024 neurologically normal Japanese subjects.
- 1.5-Tesla MRI scans to identify CMBs, classified by location (lobar, deep).
- Logistic regression analysis to assess associations between lipid fraction quartiles and CMB presence, adjusting for confounders.
Main Results:
- CMBs were found in 4.1% of participants; deep CMBs were most common (55.5% of CMB cases).
- Lower total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were associated with deep CMBs.
- Adjusted analysis confirmed that lower TC (OR 2.28) and HDL-C (OR 1.93) were significantly associated with deep CMBs.
Conclusions:
- Low serum TC and HDL-C levels are closely associated with deep CMBs.
- These findings highlight the importance of lipid profiles in assessing deep CMB risk.
- The study provides valuable insights into cerebral small vessel disease in an Asian population.
