Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Integrated Photoacoustic, Ultrasound, and Angiographic Tomography (PAUSAT) for NonInvasive Whole-Brain Imaging of Ischemic Stroke
Published on: June 2, 2023
High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography imaging and bone biomarker characteristics of patients
Benjamin Dejakum1,2, Johannes Bereiter-Payr2,3, Silvia Felicetti1
1Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
Abstract:
Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) leads to unfavorable structural changes in the bones. The underlying pathophysiological process is unclear. We provide a detailed characterization of the structural and biochemical properties of bone in a stroke/TIA cohort. Our findings lay the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of post-stroke osteopathy and its clinical implications.
Purpose:
Patients who have suffered a stroke or transient ischemic attack are at high risk of fractures, which increase mortality and reduce health-related quality of life. Previous studies showed that ischemic stroke leads to unfavorable structural changes in the bones, but the underlying pathophysiological process is still unclear. Our aim was to analyze biomarkers and bone structure with high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in a stroke/TIA cohort.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study analyzes the baseline data of a prospective cohort. Patients underwent HR-pQCT scans of the radius and tibia, alongside biochemical bone marker evaluation, within the first days after the acute cerebrovascular event.
Results:
Women had lower total, cortical, and trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and lower values for most other HR-pQCT parameters. Patients with increasing age had lower total and cortical vBMD, but no difference in trabecular parameters. Active or former smokers had lower total and trabecular vBMD. Higher BMI was associated with greater cortical and trabecular bone areas and higher trabecular density. A positive correlation was found between sclerostin levels and trabecular parameters. Higher osteoprotegerin levels were associated with lower cortical area and thickness. Osteocalcin showed a negative correlation with total vBMD and cortical thickness.
Conclusions:
This study is the first to combine HR-pQCT imaging with bone biomarkers to provide a detailed characterization of the structural and biochemical properties of bone in a stroke/TIA cohort. Our findings lay the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of post-stroke osteopathy and its clinical implications.
