Abstract
Biomarkers of microcirculation dysfunction may help in the study of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Time-Domain Near-Infrared spectroscopy (TD-NIRS), estimating the oxygenation of microcirculation of cerebral outer layers, might indirectly correlate with CSVD. We retrospectively evaluated TD-NIRS data from healthy subjects with age ≥ 55 years; no history of brain disease; normal neurological examination; absence of stenosis > 50% of extra/intra-cranial arteries; incidental finding of asymptomatic CSVD at brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). According to Fazekas scale, subjects were classified by presence of white matter hyperintensities in periventricular region (pvWMHs), deep white matter region (dWMHs), or both (d+pvWMHs). We compared the concentration of hemoglobin species and tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) among these groups. The study included 20 subjects, median age 67.5 (IQR 61–78) years old (6 without WMHs, 5 with pvWMHs, 9 with d+pvWMHs). Subjects with d+pvWMHs had significantly lower StO2 compared to subjects without WMHs (p = 0.022) or with pvWMHs (p = 0.004). StO2 < 56.7% indicated the presence of d+pvWMHs with 91% sensitivity and 67% specificity [AUC 91% (CI 95% 78–100%)]. In this preliminary study, cerebral TD-NIRS detected significantly lower StO2 in subjects with radiological signs of asymptomatic CSVD. Further studies are needed to evaluate if StO2 might represent a marker of asymptomatic CSVD.
Highlights
Biomarkers of microcirculation dysfunction may help in the study of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD)
We retrospectively evaluated Time-Domain Near-Infrared spectroscopy (TD-NIRS) data from healthy subjects with age ≥ 55 years; no history of brain disease; normal neurological examination; absence of stenosis > 50% of extra/intra-cranial arteries; incidental finding of asymptomatic CSVD at brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a structural and functional disorder of brain microcirculation leading to progressive tissue damage visible at brain autopsy and with computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI) scan [1]
Summary
Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a structural and functional disorder of brain microcirculation leading to progressive tissue damage visible at brain autopsy and with computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI) scan [1]. In CSVD, the vascular walls of arterioles, capillaries and venules undergoe morphological changes, such as arteriolosclerosis, lipohyalinosis, fibrinoid necrosis, and venous collagenosis, that disturb blood flow patterns in microcirculation and local oxygen delivery [1,2,3]. Blood-brain barrier dysfunction can cause the leakage of fluids, proteins and other plasma constituents into the perivascular tissues, which might increase interstitial fluid, stiffen arteriole and venule walls [1]. The effects of these phenomena impair cerebrovascular reactivity, vascular pulsatility, hemodynamic blood flow redistribution, leading to inefficient oxygen and nutrient transport, and to neurovascular dysfunction. Cerebral infarction may result from arteriolar occlusion and hemodynamic insufficiency phenomena
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
