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Updated: Jul 27, 2025
Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Association of brain microbleeds with risk factors, cognition, and MRI markers in MESA
Paul N Jensen1,2, Tanweer Rashid3, Jeffrey B Ware4
1Cardiovascular Health Research Unit, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Introduction:
Little is known about the epidemiology of brain microbleeds in racially/ethnically diverse populations.
Methods:
In the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, brain microbleeds were identified from 3T magnetic resonance imaging susceptibility-weighted imaging sequences using deep learning models followed by radiologist review.
Results:
Among 1016 participants without prior stroke (25% Black, 15% Chinese, 19% Hispanic, 41% White, mean age 72), microbleed prevalence was 20% at age 60 to 64.9 and 45% at ≥85 years. Deep microbleeds were associated with older age, hypertension, higher body mass index, and atrial fibrillation, and lobar microbleeds with male sex and atrial fibrillation. Overall, microbleeds were associated with greater white matter hyperintensity volume and lower total white matter fractional anisotropy.
Discussion:
Results suggest differing associations for lobar versus deep locations. Sensitive microbleed quantification will facilitate future longitudinal studies of their potential role as an early indicator of vascular pathology.
Insights
Brain microbleed prevalence increases with age, affecting 20% of those 60-64 and 45% of those 85+. These findings highlight the importance of brain microbleeds in diverse populations.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Brain microbleeds (BMBs) are poorly understood in diverse populations.
- Vascular pathology is a growing concern in aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and associations of brain microbleeds in a racially and ethnically diverse cohort.
- To explore differences in deep versus lobar microbleed associations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3T MRI susceptibility-weighted imaging from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.
- Employed deep learning models for microbleed detection, confirmed by radiologist review.
- Analyzed data from 1016 participants without prior stroke.
Main Results:
- Microbleed prevalence was 20% in participants aged 60-64.9 and 45% in those aged ≥85.
- Deep microbleeds were linked to older age, hypertension, higher BMI, and atrial fibrillation.
- Lobar microbleeds were associated with male sex and atrial fibrillation.
Conclusions:
- Prevalence of brain microbleeds increases significantly with age.
- Location-specific associations suggest distinct underlying mechanisms.
- Accurate microbleed quantification is crucial for future research on vascular pathology.
