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Updated: May 5, 2026
Assessing Cortical Cerebral Microinfarcts on High Resolution MR Images
Published on: November 20, 2015
Association Between Cognitive Impairment and Multimodal MRI Markers in Patients with Cerebral Microbleeds: A
Peiqing Zhuang1, Jiyang Liu2, Xuehua Cai2
1Department of Medical Imaging, Quanzhou First Hospital, Quanzhou First Hospital, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, People's Republic of China.
Objective:
To investigate the association between cognitive impairment and multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers in patients with cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and to identify imaging predictors of CMB-related cognitive dysfunction.
Methods:
This retrospective case-control study included 71 patients with CMBs confirmed by MRI between August 2022 and February 2024 and 65 age-matched healthy controls. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). All participants underwent multimodal MRI, including susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) for CMB detection and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for quantitative assessment of fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in predefined brain regions. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to evaluate associations between CMB burden, DTI parameters, and cognitive scores. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for cognitive impairment.
Results:
Compared with controls, patients with CMBs had significantly lower MoCA scores and higher CMB burden (both P < 0.05). FA values in the frontal-temporal lobe, parietal lobe, and basal ganglia were significantly reduced, while ADC values were increased (all P < 0.05). CMB number was negatively correlated with MoCA scores (r = -0.643, P < 0.001). Decreased FA and increased ADC in the frontal-temporal lobe and basal ganglia were significantly associated with cognitive decline. Regression analysis showed that CMB burden ≥10, reduced FA, elevated ADC, and basal ganglia involvement were independent risk factors for cognitive impairment.
Conclusion:
Cognitive impairment in CMB patients is closely associated with lesion burden and microstructural white matter alterations detected by multimodal MRI. These imaging markers may facilitate early risk stratification and targeted monitoring, although longitudinal validation is warranted.
Insights
Cognitive impairment in cerebral microbleed (CMB) patients is linked to imaging markers like lesion burden and white matter changes. These multimodal MRI findings may help predict and monitor cognitive dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are associated with cognitive impairment.
- Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers potential markers for understanding CMB-related cognitive dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cognitive impairment and multimodal MRI markers in patients with CMBs.
- To identify imaging predictors of cognitive dysfunction in CMB patients.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 71 CMB patients and 65 healthy controls.
- Cognitive function assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
- Multimodal MRI including SWI for CMBs and DTI for FA and ADC values; statistical analyses included Spearman correlation and multivariate regression.
Main Results:
- CMB patients showed lower MoCA scores and higher CMB burden compared to controls.
- Reduced FA and increased ADC in specific brain regions were observed in CMB patients.
- CMB burden, reduced FA, increased ADC, and basal ganglia involvement were identified as independent risk factors for cognitive impairment.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive impairment in CMB patients is associated with lesion burden and white matter alterations detected by multimodal MRI.
- These imaging markers may aid in early risk stratification and targeted monitoring of cognitive decline in CMB patients.
