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A Versatile Murine Model of Subcortical White Matter Stroke for the Study of Axonal Degeneration and White Matter Neurobiology
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Cortical Microinfarcts and White Matter Connectivity in Memory Clinic Patients
Doeschka Ferro1, Rutger Heinen1, Bruno de Brito Robalo1
1Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Frontiers in Neurology
|June 25, 2019
Summary
Cortical microinfarcts (CMIs) cluster in specific brain areas but do not impair white matter connectivity. Alternative mechanisms may explain CMI-related cognitive decline in dementia patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Cerebral microinfarcts (CMIs) are linked to cognitive impairment and dementia.
- CMIs may impact cognition by disrupting brain networks.
- Understanding CMI effects on white matter (WM) connectivity is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if cortical CMIs cluster in specific brain regions.
- To investigate if cortical CMIs are associated with reduced WM connectivity.
- To explore the relationship between CMIs and cognitive performance in memory clinic patients.
Main Methods:
- 164 memory clinic patients with vascular brain injury underwent 3T MRI and cognitive testing.
- Diffusion MRI and tractography assessed WM connectivity.
- Voxel-based analysis evaluated WM integrity beneath cortical CMIs.
Main Results:
- 18% of patients had cortical CMIs, predominantly in frontal and pre/postcentral regions.
- Cortical CMIs were not associated with reduced WM connectivity in affected regions.
- No significant differences in whole-brain or subcortical WM connectivity were found between groups.
Conclusions:
- Cortical CMIs show strong regional clustering but do not disproportionately affect projecting WM connections.
- Alternative mechanisms, like focal cortical changes, might explain CMI-associated cognitive deficits.
- Further research is needed to elucidate CMI's impact on cognitive function.
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