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Quantification of Iron Deposition in the Brain of Hypertensive Patients Using 3D-enhanced Susceptibility-weighted
Jiehua Yang1, Zhongxian Yang2, Huanze Wu1
1Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical Academy of Shantou University, Shantou, 515041, China.
Background:
Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are commonly present in patients with hypertension, producing iron-containing metabolites. A small amount of regional iron deposition is hardly discernible on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Three-dimensional enhanced susceptibility-weighted angiography (ESWAN) provides tissue images with high spatial resolution and signal-noise ratio, and has been widely used to measure brain iron deposition in neurodegenerative diseases and intracranial hemorrhage.
Objective:
The study aimed to demonstrate iron deposition in the brain of hypertensive patients using ESWAN.
Method:
Twenty-seven hypertension patients, with or without CMBs, and 16 matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. From the post-processed ESWAN images, phase and magnitude values of the regions of interest (ROIs) were calculated. Two-sample t-test and one-way variance analysis were applied to compare groups. The relationship between ESWAN parameters and clinical variables was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient.
Results:
Compared to HCs, the phase value of the hippocampus, head of caudate nucleus (HCN), and substantia nigra (SN) was decreased in hypertension with the CMBs subgroup, while that of HCN and SN was decreased in hypertension without CMBs subgroup. Similarly, the magnitude value of the hippocampus, HCN, thalamus red nucleus, and SN was significantly lower in the hypertension group than HCs. In addition, the phase and magnitude values showed a correlation with clinical variables, including disease duration and blood pressure.
Conclusion:
Deep grey matter nuclei displayed greater iron content in hypertension patients. Iron deposition may precede the appearance of CMBs on MRI, serving as a potential marker of microvascular damage.
Insights
Hypertension patients show increased brain iron deposition in deep grey matter nuclei, detectable by enhanced susceptibility-weighted angiography (ESWAN). This iron accumulation may precede cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and indicate microvascular damage.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Medical Physics
- Clinical Neurology
Background:
- Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are linked to hypertension and iron deposition.
- Conventional MRI may not detect subtle iron accumulation.
- Three-dimensional enhanced susceptibility-weighted angiography (ESWAN) offers high-resolution imaging for brain iron assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate brain iron deposition in hypertensive patients using ESWAN.
- To investigate iron accumulation in deep grey matter nuclei.
- To explore the relationship between iron deposition and hypertension-related factors.
Main Methods:
- Enrolled 27 hypertension patients (with/without CMBs) and 16 healthy controls (HCs).
- Calculated phase and magnitude values from post-processed ESWAN images in regions of interest (ROIs).
- Used t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation to analyze data and clinical variables.
Main Results:
- Hypertension patients showed decreased phase values in the hippocampus, head of caudate nucleus (HCN), and substantia nigra (SN) compared to HCs.
- Magnitude values were significantly lower in the hippocampus, HCN, thalamus, red nucleus, and SN of hypertensive patients.
- ESWAN parameters correlated with disease duration and blood pressure.
Conclusions:
- Deep grey matter nuclei exhibit increased iron content in hypertensive patients.
- Iron deposition detected by ESWAN may precede CMBs on MRI.
- ESWAN-identified iron deposition could serve as a marker for hypertensive microvascular damage.
