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Visualization of Amyloid β Deposits in the Human Brain with Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging Mass Spectrometry
Published on: March 7, 2019
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Cerebral Microbleed Patterns and Cortical Amyloid-β: The ARIC-PET Study
Derrick N Okine1, David S Knopman2, Thomas H Mosley3
1National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Intramural Research Program, NIH, Bethesda, MD (D.N.O., R.F.G.).
Stroke
|August 28, 2023
Summary
Isolated lobar cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) or superficial siderosis strongly correlate with elevated brain amyloid-beta (Aβ) in nondemented adults. Other CMB patterns showed no increased Aβ risk, suggesting specific CMB types are key indicators.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimaging
- Gerontology
Background:
- Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are linked to cognitive decline, but their role beyond cerebral amyloid angiopathy and their precise impact on cognition remain unclear.
- Understanding the relationship between specific CMB patterns and underlying neuropathology, such as amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition, is crucial for elucidating cognitive decline mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cross-sectional association between distinct cerebral microbleed (CMB) patterns and cerebral amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition.
- To evaluate whether specific CMB patterns are associated with increased odds of elevated Aβ levels in a community-based cohort.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, specifically the ARIC-PET ancillary study.
- Included 322 non-demented participants who underwent 3T brain MRI for CMB and superficial siderosis detection and florbetapir positron emission tomography (PET) for Aβ imaging.
- Employed multivariable logistic regression to analyze CMB characteristics in relation to Aβ positivity, assessing effect modification by sex, race, APOE status, and cognition.
Main Results:
- Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) were identified in 24% of participants.
- No overall significant association was found between CMBs and Aβ positivity.
- A pattern of isolated lobar CMBs or superficial siderosis was significantly associated with over four-fold higher odds of elevated Aβ (OR, 4.72 [95% CI, 1.16-19.16]) compared to no CMBs. Isolated subcortical or mixed CMB patterns did not show this elevated risk.
Conclusions:
- In non-demented adults, an isolated lobar pattern of CMBs or superficial siderosis is strongly associated with brain Aβ deposition.
- A mixed CMB pattern did not confer an elevated risk for Aβ positivity.
- Further research is warranted to explore the differential meaning of various CMB patterns across diverse demographic subgroups.
