Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2025
Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Systematic Review on the Role of Lobar Cerebral Microbleeds in Cognition
Lorenzo Cipriano1, Dario Saracino2, Mariano Oliva1
1Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.
Background:
Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are small round/oval lesions seen in MRI-specific sequences. They are divided in deep and lobar according to their location. Lobar CMBs (L-CMBs) are commonly associated with amyloid angiopathy. Although CMBs have been considered clinically silent for a long time, a growing body of evidence has shown that they could play a crucial role in cognitive functioning.
Objective:
The aim of this systematic review was to estimate the role of L-CMBs in cognitive performance.
Methods:
We selected, from the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases, clinical studies, published from January 2000 to January 2020 and focused on the association between L-CMBs and cognitive functions. The inclusion criteria were: 1) participants grouped according to presence or absence of CMBs, 2) extensive neuropsychological examination, 3) CMBs differentiation according to topographical distribution, and 4) MRI-based CMB definition (< 10 mm and low signal in T2*/SWI). The impact of L-CMBs was separately assessed for executive functions, visuospatial skills, language, and memory.
Results:
Among 963 potentially eligible studies, six fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Four studies reported a greater reduction in executive performances in participants with L-CMB and two studies showed a statistically significant association between visuospatial dysfunction and L-CMBs. No association was found between hippocampal memory or language abilities and L-CMBs.
Conclusion:
Lobar CMBs are associated with a reduction of processing speed and visuospatial performances, thus suggesting the contribution of vascular amyloid deposition to this cognitive profile. This occurrence enables us to suspect an underlying Alzheimer's disease pathology even in absence of typical hippocampal memory impairment.
Insights
Lobar cerebral microbleeds (L-CMBs) are linked to reduced executive function and visuospatial skills. This suggests amyloid angiopathy may impact cognition, even without memory loss.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are small MRI-detected lesions, categorized as deep or lobar (L-CMBs).
- L-CMBs are often associated with amyloid angiopathy.
- Emerging evidence suggests CMBs significantly influence cognitive function.
Approach:
- Systematic review of clinical studies published between January 2000 and January 2020.
- Searched Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases.
- Included studies with CMB presence/absence groups, detailed neuropsychological testing, topographical CMB differentiation, and specific MRI criteria (T2*/SWI, <10mm).
Key Points:
- Six studies met inclusion criteria from 963 initial records.
- Four studies linked L-CMBs to reduced executive performance.
- Two studies found L-CMBs associated with visuospatial dysfunction.
- No significant association was observed between L-CMBs and memory or language.
Conclusions:
- Lobar CMBs correlate with diminished processing speed and visuospatial abilities.
- This cognitive profile suggests vascular amyloid deposition's role.
- Findings imply L-CMBs may indicate underlying Alzheimer's disease pathology, irrespective of typical memory impairment.
More Related Videos
06:39Sub-acute Cerebral Microhemorrhages Induced by Lipopolysaccharide Injection in Rats
Published on: October 17, 2018
12:50Lesion Explorer: A Video-guided, Standardized Protocol for Accurate and Reliable MRI-derived Volumetrics in Alzheimer's Disease and Normal Elderly
Published on: April 14, 2014
