Relationship between cerebral microbleeds, ventricular enlargement and white matter hyperintensities in Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundTo investigate whether the number of cerebral microbleeds (CMB) could be a useful indicator to predict glymphatic system dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients, by comparing the degree of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and interstitial fluid (ISF) stasis.MethodForty probable AD patients were included, with those exhibiting two or more CMB were included in the multiple CMB group (mCMB, n = 21, mean = 11.1), and none or one CMB included in the non‐multiple CMB group (nmCMB, n = 19, mean = 0.84). CMB were defined in axial gradient recalled echo (GRE) T2*‐weighted images. Evans index (EI) was calculated to measure lateral ventricle enlargement, Voxel‐based Specific Regional Analysis System for Alzheimer's Disease (VSRAD) software was used to determine the extent of gray and white matter atrophy, and Fazekas scale (FS) was used to determine white matter hyperintensities (WMH).ResultEI was significantly larger in mCMB than in nmCMB, while the gray and white matter volume was not different between groups. Thus, the difference in lateral ventricle enlargement between AD with and without multiple CMB reflects a combination of the degree of brain atrophy and the extent of CSF stasis. FS was higher in mCMB than in the nmCMB, suggesting the failure of ISF elimination was more severe in mCMB cases.ConclusionThe difference in lateral ventricle enlargement and WMH between AD with or without multiple CMB may reflect a difference in the degree of CSF/ISF stagnation.