Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
07:30

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions

Published on: April 23, 2021

Heterogeneous cerebral perfusion and network inefficiency associated with cognitive impairment in cerebral

Xiaoran Zheng1, Xiaochen Zhang2, Renren Li1

  • 1Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200065, China.

Brain Research Bulletin
|August 21, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Cerebral microbleeds are linked to cognitive decline due to abnormal brain blood flow and disrupted networks. Understanding these neurovascular changes offers insights into impaired memory, language, and executive functions.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimaging
  • Neurology
  • Cerebrovascular Disease

Background:

  • Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are common in older adults and linked to cognitive impairment.
  • The underlying neurovascular mechanisms connecting CMBs and cognitive decline are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between cerebral blood flow (CBF) abnormalities, CBF network changes, and cognitive impairment in individuals with CMBs.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 111 participants with CMBs and 148 controls.
  • Neuropsychological assessment and arterial spin labeling MRI were performed.
  • Propensity score matching created 76 CMB-control pairs for CBF and network analyses.

Main Results:

  • Participants with CMBs showed poorer memory, language, and executive functions.
  • Heterogeneous CBF patterns observed: increased perfusion in lateral cortical regions, reduced in medial/deep structures.
  • Higher temporal CBF correlated with lower cognitive scores; lower caudate CBF linked to impaired language/executive function.
  • Reduced nodal efficiency in temporal regions (superior temporal pole) found in CMB group.

Conclusions:

  • Cognitive impairment in CMB patients is associated with heterogeneous CBF abnormalities and disrupted CBF network organization.
  • Perfusion abnormalities offer clinically relevant insights into the neurovascular basis of CMB-related cognitive impairment.
Keywords:
Arterial Spin LabelingBrain NetworkCerebral Blood FlowCerebral MicrobleedCognitive Impairment

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