Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 13, 2025
Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
The differential relationship between white matter cerebrovascular perfusion and microstructure between normal
Donghoon Kim1,2,3, Sarah Yoon2, Timothy M Hughes4
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
Abstract:
BackgroundMild cognitive impairment (MCI) has been related to impairment in cerebrovascular perfusion and microstructural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters. However, the relationship between cerebrovascular perfusion and microstructure remains understudied, especially within normal-appearing white matter (NAWM).ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the differential relationship between white matter cerebrovascular perfusion and microstructure between normal cognition (NC) and MCI using multiple MRI measurements within NAWM.MethodsWe examined differences between 24 MCI and 55 NC participants in NAWM for cerebrovascular perfusion and microstructural measures, including cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), cerebral blood flow, arterial transit time (ATT), and intracellular volume fraction (ICVF), isotropic volume fraction, and orientation dispersion index in models adjusted for vascular risk factors including hypertension, glycemic status, and the presence of APOE ε4 allele.ResultsIn the voxel-wise analyses within NAWM, participants with MCI exhibited lower CVR, prolonged ATT, and lower ICVF. Additionally, ATT and ICVF demonstrated a negative interrelationship in voxel clusters affected by MCI.ConclusionsImpaired ATT and ICVF in NAWM appeared to be closely interlinked in MCI, while CVR served as an independent imaging biomarker. Further investigation into the intrinsic link between ATT and ICVF in NAWM is warranted.
Insights
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is linked to altered white matter perfusion and microstructure. Arterial transit time (ATT) and intracellular volume fraction (ICVF) are interconnected in MCI, with cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) as an independent biomarker.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Cerebrovascular Health
- White Matter Integrity
Background:
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is associated with cerebrovascular perfusion and microstructural changes.
- The interplay between cerebrovascular perfusion and white matter microstructure in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the distinct associations between white matter cerebrovascular perfusion and microstructure in individuals with normal cognition (NC) versus MCI.
- To utilize multiple magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metrics within NAWM to investigate these relationships.
Main Methods:
- Compared 24 MCI and 55 NC participants using voxel-wise analyses in NAWM.
- Assessed cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), cerebral blood flow, arterial transit time (ATT), and intracellular volume fraction (ICVF).
- Adjusted models for vascular risk factors like hypertension, glycemic status, and APOE ε4 allele presence.
Main Results:
- MCI participants showed reduced CVR, prolonged ATT, and lower ICVF in NAWM.
- A negative correlation between ATT and ICVF was observed in MCI-affected brain regions.
- CVR was identified as an independent imaging biomarker in MCI.
Conclusions:
- Impaired ATT and ICVF in NAWM are closely linked in MCI.
- CVR functions as a standalone imaging biomarker for MCI.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the intrinsic connection between ATT and ICVF in NAWM.
