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Cerebral Microbleeds Are Associated with Loss of White Matter Integrity

J-Y Liu1, Y-J Zhou1, F-F Zhai1

  • 1From the Departments of Neurology (J.-Y.L., Y.-J.Z., F.-F.Z., F.H., L.-X.Z., J.N., M.Y., L.C., Y.-C.Z.), Radiology (Z.J.), and Cardiology (S.Z.), Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China.

AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|July 29, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Cerebral microbleeds are linked to widespread white matter damage, affecting integrity even in areas without visible lesions. This study reveals a broad impact on brain microstructure.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Neurology
  • White Matter Integrity

Background:

  • Previous research indicates diffuse white matter integrity loss in conditions like white matter hyperintensities.
  • Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a key tool for assessing white matter microstructure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and white matter microstructure integrity.
  • To determine if CMB distribution influences white matter abnormalities.

Main Methods:

  • 982 participants underwent brain MRI for microbleed detection.
  • Assessed CMBs' relation to white matter integrity using DTI parameters and Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS).
  • Fiber tractography visualized abnormalities along white matter tracts.

Main Results:

  • Cerebral microbleeds correlated with reduced fractional anisotropy and increased diffusivity (mean, axial, radial).
  • Strictly lobar CMBs were associated with white matter integrity changes in specific brain regions (internal capsule, corpus callosum).
  • Deep CMBs showed fewer associations with diffusion abnormalities; no diffusion abnormality gradients were found along affected tracts.

Conclusions:

  • Cerebral microbleeds are associated with widespread white matter microstructural changes.
  • These changes extend beyond the immediate vicinity of the microbleeds, indicating a diffuse impact.

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