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Published on: August 26, 2014
Cerebral Microbleeds Correlated with White Matter and Hippocampal Volumes in Community-Dwelling Populations
Ning Su1, Xinyu Liang2, Ming Yao1
1Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Background:
Few studies have investigated the correlation between cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), a hemorrhagic imaging marker of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), and brain volume.
Objective:
We investigated the association between the burden and locations of CMBs and brain volume in community-dwelling populations.
Methods:
Data were obtained from 1,029 participants who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and APOE genotyping. Volumes of the whole brain, subcortical white matter (WM), cortical gray matter (GM), and hippocampus were extracted. Linear regression models were used to investigate the relationship between the CMB burden and their location with structural changes.
Results:
Regarding burden, participants with≥3 CMBs had significantly lower whole brain (β= -1.124, p = 0.0133), subcortical WM (β= -1.020, p = 0.0043), and hippocampus (β= -0.015, p = 0.0088) volumes than those without CMBs. Regarding location and burden, the presence of≥3 strictly lobar CMBs was negatively associated with whole brain volume (β= -2.838, p = 0.0088). Additionally, higher CMB burdens in strictly lobar locations or deep/mixed locations were associated with lower subcortical WM volume (β= -1.689, p = 0.0482; β= -0.872, p = 0.0464, respectively). Finally, the presence of≥3 deep/mixed CMBs was associated with lower hippocampus volume (β= -0.018, p = 0.0088), and these associations were independent of other ischemic markers of CSVD. However, the CMB burden and distributional pattern did not correlate with cortical GM volumes.
Conclusion:
A higher CMB burden, in specific locations, is associated with decreased brain volumes in community-dwelling populations.
Insights
Higher burdens of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), a marker of small vessel disease, are linked to reduced brain volume, particularly in the whole brain, white matter, and hippocampus. These associations vary based on CMB location.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are hemorrhagic markers of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD).
- Limited research exists on the correlation between CMBs and overall brain volume.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the burden and locations of CMBs and brain volume in community-dwelling populations.
- To determine if CMBs impact whole brain, subcortical white matter, gray matter, and hippocampal volumes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized brain MRI data from 1,029 participants.
- Extracted volumes for whole brain, subcortical white matter (WM), cortical gray matter (GM), and hippocampus.
- Employed linear regression models to analyze relationships between CMB burden/location and structural brain changes.
Main Results:
- Participants with ≥3 CMBs showed significantly lower whole brain, subcortical WM, and hippocampus volumes.
- ≥3 strictly lobar CMBs were associated with reduced whole brain volume.
- Higher CMB burdens in lobar or deep/mixed locations correlated with lower subcortical WM volume.
- ≥3 deep/mixed CMBs were linked to lower hippocampus volume, independent of other CSVD markers.
- No correlation was found between CMB burden/pattern and cortical GM volumes.
Conclusions:
- Increased CMB burden, especially in specific locations, is associated with decreased brain volumes in community-dwelling individuals.
- CMB location and burden are critical factors influencing brain volume reduction in CSVD.
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