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Assessing Cortical Cerebral Microinfarcts on High Resolution MR Images
08:39

Assessing Cortical Cerebral Microinfarcts on High Resolution MR Images

Published on: November 20, 2015

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Relationship between cortical microinfarcts and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease

Benito P Damasceno1

  • 1Professor of the Department of Neurology, Medical School, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas SP, Brazil.

Dementia & Neuropsychologia
|December 8, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Multiple microinfarcts (MIs) significantly worsen Alzheimer's disease (AD) cognitive impairment. Controlling vascular risk factors is crucial for managing AD and preventing MI-related cognitive decline.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pathology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Cerebrovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology frequently coexist in dementia patients.
  • Microinfarcts (MIs), especially cortical and multiple, independently contribute to cognitive impairment in AD.
  • Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion is a primary cause of cortical MIs, with vascular diseases, embolism, and BBB disruptions also implicated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of microinfarcts (MIs) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) cognitive impairment.
  • To explore the mechanisms by which MIs contribute to cognitive decline.
  • To emphasize the importance of managing vascular risk factors in AD patients.

Main Methods:

  • The study reviews existing literature on cerebrovascular disease, microinfarcts, and AD pathology.
  • It synthesizes evidence on the causes and consequences of microinfarcts.
  • The mechanisms linking MIs to cognitive impairment are discussed based on current research.

Main Results:

  • Cortical microinfarcts (MIs) play an additive and independent role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) cognitive impairment.
  • MIs may cause cognitive deficits through widespread hypoperfusion, hypoxia, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
  • These pathological processes particularly affect watershed areas in the tertiary association cortex, damaging cognitive networks.

Conclusions:

  • Microinfarcts (MIs) are significant contributors to cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  • Effective management of vascular risk factors is essential for mitigating MI-related cognitive decline.
  • Judicious use of antihypertensives, neuroleptics, and sedatives is advised in AD patients to avoid exacerbating MIs.
Keywords:
Alzheimer's diseasecerebral amyloid angiopathydementiamicroinfarctsneurofunctional networksvascular cognitive impairment

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