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Updated: Aug 31, 2025
Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Iron deposition in the precuneus is correlated with mild cognitive impairment in patients with cerebral microbleeds:
Jing Tu1,2, Jin Yan3, Juan Liu1
1Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, China.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to define whether mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is associated with iron deposition in rich-club nodes distant from cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD).
Methods:
A total of 64 participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning and were separated into three groups, namely, CMB(+), CMB(-), and healthy controls (HCs). We compared their characteristics and susceptibility values of rich-club nodes [e.g., superior frontal gyrus (SFG), precuneus, superior occipital gyrus (SOG), thalamus, and putamen]. We then divided the CMB(+) and CMB(-) groups into subgroups of patients with or without MCI. Then, we analyzed the relationship between iron deposition and MCI by comparing the susceptibility values of rich-club nodes. We assessed cognitive functions using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and quantified iron content using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM).
Results:
In the putamen, the CMB(+) and CMB(-) groups had significantly different susceptibility values. Compared with the HCs, the CMB(+) and CMB(-) groups had significantly different susceptibility values for the SFG and SOG. In addition, we found significant differences in the putamen susceptibility values of the CMB(+)MCI(+) group and the two CMB(-) groups. The CMB(+)MCI(+) and CMB(+)MCI(-) groups had significantly different precuneus susceptibility values. The binary logistic regression analysis revealed that only higher susceptibility values of precuneus were associated with a cognitive decline in patients with CMBs, and it indicated statistical significance.
Conclusion:
Iron deposition in the precuneus is an independent risk factor for MCI in patients with CMBs. CMBs might influence iron content in remote rich-club nodes and be relevant to MCI.
Insights
Iron deposition in the precuneus is linked to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in patients with cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). This suggests CMBs may affect brain iron levels and cognitive function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is associated with cognitive decline.
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a common consequence of CSVD.
- The role of iron deposition in remote brain regions in CSVD-related MCI is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between iron deposition in rich-club nodes and MCI in patients with cerebral microbleeds (CMBs).
- To determine if iron deposition in brain regions distant from CMBs contributes to cognitive impairment in CSVD.
Main Methods:
- 64 participants (CMB(+), CMB(-), and healthy controls) underwent MRI.
- Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) quantified iron deposition in rich-club nodes.
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) assessed cognitive function.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in iron deposition (susceptibility values) were observed in the putamen, superior frontal gyrus (SFG), and superior occipital gyrus (SOG) between groups.
- Higher precuneus susceptibility values were significantly associated with cognitive decline in patients with CMBs.
- Iron deposition in the precuneus emerged as an independent risk factor for MCI in CMB patients.
Conclusions:
- Iron deposition in the precuneus is an independent risk factor for MCI in patients with CMBs.
- CMBs may influence iron content in distant rich-club nodes, contributing to MCI.
