Abstract
ObjectivesCerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are often observed in memory clinic patients. It has been generally accepted that deep CMBs (D‐CMBs) result from hypertensive vasculopathy (HV), whereas strictly lobar CMBs (SL‐CMBs) result from cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) which frequently coexists with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mixed CMBs (M‐CMBs) have been partially attributed to HV and also partially attributed to CAA. The aim of this study was to elucidate the differences between SL‐CMBs and M‐CMBs in terms of clinical features and regional distribution.MaterialsWe examined 176 sequential patients in our memory clinic for clinical features and CMB location using susceptibility‐weighted images obtained on a 3T‐MRI. The number of lobar CMBs in SL‐CMBs and M‐CMBs was counted in each cerebral lobe and their regional density was adjusted according to the volume of each lobe.ResultsOf the total 176 patients, 111 patients (63.1%) had CMBs. Within the patients who had CMBs, M‐CMBs were found in 54 patients (48.6%), followed by SL‐CMBs in 35 (31.5%) and D‐CMBs in 19 (17.1%). The SL‐CMB group showed a significantly higher prevalence of family history of dementia, whereas the M‐CMB group showed an increasing trend toward hypertension and smoking. The prevalence of AD was significantly higher in the SL‐CMBs group, whereas the prevalence of AD with cerebrovascular disease was higher in the M‐CMBs group. The regional density of lobar CMBs was significantly higher in the occipital lobe in the M‐CMB group, whereas the SL‐CMB group showed higher regional density between regions an increasing tendency in the parietal and occipital lobe.ConclusionThe between‐group differences in clinical features and regional distribution indicate there to be an etiological relationship of SL‐CMBs to AD and CAA, and M‐CMBs to both HV and CAA.
Highlights
Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are defined as small hypointense foci
There were no significant differences in sex, mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score, vascular risk factors excluding hypertension, family history of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) or dementia, and the prevalence of antithrombotic therapy between CMBs positive and CMBs negative
Among the patients with lobar CMBs, there were no significant differences in the clinical features between SL-CMBs and Mixed (deep/infratentorial with lobar) CMBs (M-CMBs); the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was significantly higher in the SL-CMBs group, whereas the prevalence of AD with CVD was significantly higher in M-CMBs group (Table 3)
Summary
Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are defined as small hypointense foci
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