Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans
08:29

Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans

Published on: December 18, 2016

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Cerebral Microbleeds: Analysis From the UK Biobank

Dongwei Lu1, Junfeng Liu2, Andrew D MacKinnon2

  • 1From the Stroke Research Group, Department of Clinical Neurosciences (D.L., J.L., D.J.T., H.S.M.), University of Cambridge, UK; Department of Neurology (D.L.), Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University; Department of Neurology (J.L.), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China; and Department of Neuroradiology (A.D.M.), Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. 2008302180101@whu.edu.cn.

Neurology
|August 19, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) affect 7% of healthy adults, with distinct risk factors for lobar and deep locations. Age is a universal risk factor for CMBs across all brain regions.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Neurology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are markers of small vessel disease.
  • Understanding CMB prevalence and risk factors is crucial for neurological health.
  • Community-based data on CMBs are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in a large, healthy community population.
  • To identify distinct risk factors associated with CMBs in lobar, deep, and infratentorial locations.
  • To investigate the relationship between CMBs and demographic and lifestyle factors.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized UK Biobank data from 8,159 participants with susceptibility-weighted imaging.
  • Employed the Microbleed Anatomical Rating Scale for definite CMB identification.
  • Applied generalized linear models to assess associations with CMBs and their locations.

Main Results:

  • Prevalence of one or more definite CMBs was 7.0% (572/8159).
  • Lobar CMBs were most common (76.7%), followed by deep (18.0%) and infratentorial (14.5%).
  • Age was a universal risk factor; APOE4, male sex, and BMI were associated with lobar CMBs; hypertension, smoking, and alcohol with deep CMBs.

Conclusions:

  • CMB prevalence in this population was 7%, with varied risk factor profiles for different locations.
  • Distinct pathophysiological processes likely underlie lobar versus deep CMBs.
  • Findings highlight the importance of location-specific risk factor analysis for CMBs.

More Related Videos

Sub-acute Cerebral Microhemorrhages Induced by Lipopolysaccharide Injection in Rats06:39

Sub-acute Cerebral Microhemorrhages Induced by Lipopolysaccharide Injection in Rats

Published on: October 17, 2018

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions07:30

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions

Published on: April 23, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction01:17

Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction

A hemorrhagic stroke is an acute neurological event that occurs when a weakened cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to accumulate within or around the brain. The sudden release of blood forms a focal hematoma that increases intracranial pressure, displaces neural tissue, and can obstruct cerebrospinal fluid pathways. These effects may be compounded by intraventricular extension of the hemorrhage, cerebral edema, or compression of adjacent structures, all of which contribute to...
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...