Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 31, 2025
Assessing Cortical Cerebral Microinfarcts on High Resolution MR Images
Published on: November 20, 2015
Cortical cerebral microinfarcts on 7T MRI: Risk factors, neuroimaging correlates and cognitive functioning - The
Maarten Ht Zwartbol1, Ina Rissanen2, Rashid Ghaznawi1,2
1Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Abstract:
We determined the occurrence and association of cortical cerebral microinfarcts (CMIs) at 7 T MRI with risk factors, neuroimaging markers of small and large vessel disease, and cognitive functioning. Within the Medea-7T study, a diverse cohort of older persons with normal cognition, patients with vascular disease, and memory clinic patients, we included 386 participants (68 ± 9 years) with available 7 T and 1.5 T/3T brain MRI, and risk factor and neuropsychological data. CMIs were found in 10% of participants and were associated with older age (RR = 1.79 per +10 years, 95%CI 1.28-2.50), history of stroke or TIA (RR = 4.03, 95%CI 2.18-7.43), cortical infarcts (RR = 5.28, 95%CI 2.91-9.55), lacunes (RR = 5.66, 95%CI 2.85-11.27), cerebellar infarcts (RR = 2.73, 95%CI 1.27-5.84) and decreased cerebral blood flow (RR = 1.35 per -100 ml/min, 95%CI 1.00-1.83), after adjustment for age and sex. Furthermore, participants with >2 CMIs had 0.5 SD (95%CI 0.05-0.91) lower global cognitive performance, compared to participants without CMIs. Our results indicate that CMIs on 7 T MRI are observed in vascular and memory clinic patients with similar frequency, and are associated with older age, history of stroke or TIA, other brain infarcts, and poorer global cognitive functioning.
Insights
Cortical cerebral microinfarcts (CMIs) detected by 7T MRI are linked to aging, stroke history, and other brain infarcts. These CMIs are also associated with reduced global cognitive performance in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Cortical cerebral microinfarcts (CMIs) are small lesions in the brain's cortex.
- Their prevalence and associations in diverse older populations using high-field MRI are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the occurrence and associations of CMIs using 7 Tesla (7T) MRI.
- To investigate links between CMIs, risk factors, neuroimaging markers of small and large vessel disease, and cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- The study included 386 participants from the Medea-7T study with 7T and lower-field MRI, risk factor, and neuropsychological data.
- Cortical cerebral microinfarcts (CMIs) were identified on 7T MRI scans.
- Statistical analyses, including relative risks (RR) and confidence intervals (CI), were performed to assess associations.
Main Results:
- CMIs were present in 10% of participants and associated with older age, stroke/TIA history, cortical and cerebellar infarcts, lacunes, and reduced cerebral blood flow.
- Participants with more than two CMIs showed significantly lower global cognitive performance (0.5 SD).
Conclusions:
- CMIs are detectable with 7T MRI in vascular and memory clinic patients.
- CMIs are associated with vascular risk factors, other cerebrovascular lesions, and cognitive decline in older adults.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Imaging Studies VII: Vascular Imaging
01:14Brain Imaging
These technologies include computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans), positron-emission tomography (PET scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic...