The association between precuneus cortex thickness and mild behavioral impairment in patients with mild stroke

Zhengxin Liu1, Ziwei Xu1, Aijuan Yan1

  • 1Department of Neurology, Stroke Center / Cognitive Disorders Center, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, No. 221, West Yan An Road, Shanghai, China.

Brain Imaging and Behavior
|November 12, 2024
PubMed

Insights

In mild stroke patients, thinner precuneus cortex thickness is linked to a higher risk of mild behavioral impairment (MBI). This imaging finding may aid early dementia prediction and diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Radiology
  • Neuroimaging

Background:

  • Mild stroke can lead to cognitive and behavioral changes.
  • Mild Behavioral Impairment (MBI) is a potential precursor to dementia.
  • The precuneus cortex plays a role in cognitive functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between precuneus cortex thickness and MBI in mild stroke patients.
  • To explore the potential of neuroimaging in diagnosing MBI.
  • To identify early indicators for cognitive decline after stroke.

Main Methods:

  • Seventy-two mild stroke patients underwent high-resolution 3T MRI.
  • The Mild Behavioral Impairment Checklist (MBI-C) was used for MBI assessment.
  • Logistic regression and Mendelian randomization were employed to analyze the association, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

  • A significant negative association was found between precuneus cortex thickness and MBI.
  • Thinner precuneus cortex correlated with increased MBI risk in mild stroke patients (OR: 0.02, P < 0.05).
  • Reduced cortical thickness in the precuneus was identified as a radiographic marker for MBI.

Conclusions:

  • Precuneus cortex thickness is a significant predictor of MBI in mild stroke.
  • Neuroimaging, specifically measuring precuneus thickness, can aid in the radiological diagnosis of MBI.
  • This finding supports the use of imaging for early detection of cognitive impairment and dementia prediction post-stroke.

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