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Updated: Aug 2, 2025
Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Elevated serum platelet count inhibits the effects of brain functional changes on cognitive function in patients with
Yuechan Zhang1, Jing Liu2, Zijun Wei1
1Department of Neurology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Objective:
Brain function remodeling has been observed in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and is closely associated with cognitive performance. However, it is not clear if this relationship is influenced by complete blood counts. This study investigated the role of complete blood counts in the relationship between brain function and cognitive performance.
Methods:
Twenty-two MCI patients and eighteen controls were enrolled. All subjects underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. A neuropsychological battery [Mini-Mental Status Examination, Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Boston Naming Test (BNT), Shape Trails Test B (STT-B), Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), and Hamilton Depression Scale] was used to assess cognitive function, and MCI patients received complete blood counts tests for red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells, hemoglobin (HGB), monocytes, and platelet counts (PLT).
Results:
Compared with controls, MCI patients demonstrated significantly decreased amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) values in the left dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus, left post orbitofrontal cortex, right medial superior frontal gyrus, right insula, and left triangular inferior frontal gyrus. In the MCI group, there were associations between ALFF values of the left hippocampus (HIP.L) and AVLT (p = 0.003) and AVLT-N5 scores (p = 0.001); ALFF values of the right supramarginal gyrus (SMG.R) and BNT scores (p = 0.044); ALFF values of the right superior temporal gyrus (STG.R) and BNT scores (p = 0.022); ALFF values of the left precuneus (PCUN.L) and STT-B time (p = 0.012); and ALFF values of the left caudate nucleus (CAU.L) and RCFT-time (p = 0.036). Moreover, the HAMA scores were negatively correlated with RBC and HGB levels, and positively correlated with monocyte count. The PLT count was positively correlated with STT-B time. Additionally, high PLT count inhibited the effect of ALFF values of the PCUN. L on STT-B performance in MCI patients (p = 0.0207).
Conclusion:
ALFF values of the HIP. L, SMG.R, STG. R, PCUN.L, and CAU. L were associated with decreased memory, language, executive function, and visuospatial ability in MCI patients. Notably, elevated PLT count could inhibit the effect of brain functional changes in the PCUN.L on executive function in MCI patients.
Insights
Complete blood counts, particularly platelet count, influence brain function in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). High platelet counts can impair executive function in MCI patients, affecting cognitive performance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Hematology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Brain function remodeling is observed in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and linked to cognitive performance.
- The influence of complete blood counts on this brain-cognition relationship in MCI is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of complete blood counts in the relationship between brain function and cognitive performance in MCI patients.
- To explore how hematological parameters modulate brain activity and cognitive outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to assess brain function (ALFF) in 22 MCI patients and 18 controls.
- A comprehensive neuropsychological battery evaluated cognitive functions including memory, language, and executive function.
- Complete blood counts, including RBC, HGB, and PLT, were analyzed in MCI patients.
Main Results:
- MCI patients showed decreased ALFF in several brain regions compared to controls.
- ALFF in the hippocampus, supramarginal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, precuneus, and caudate nucleus correlated with cognitive performance.
- Platelet count positively correlated with executive function task time and inhibited the effect of precuneus ALFF on performance.
Conclusions:
- Brain functional alterations in MCI are associated with cognitive deficits in memory, language, and executive function.
- Elevated platelet counts can negatively impact executive function in MCI by modulating brain activity in the precuneus.
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