TOTAL MRI CEREBRAL SMALL VESSEL DISEASE BURDEN CORRELATES WITH COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE, CORTICAL THICKNESS AND NETWORK MEASURES IN A MEMORY CLINIC POPULATION

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between brain amyloid β (Aβ) and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) markers, as well as their joint effect on cognition, in a memory clinic study.MethodsA total of 186 individuals visiting a memory clinic, diagnosed with no cognitive impairment, cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND), Alzheimer dementia (AD), or vascular dementia were included. Brain Aβ was measured by [11C] Pittsburgh compound B–PET global standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR). CSVD markers including white matter hyperintensities (WMH), lacunes, and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) were graded on MRI. Cognition was assessed by neuropsychological testing.ResultsAn increase in global SUVR is associated with a decrease in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in CIND and AD, as well as a decrease in global cognition Z score in AD, independent of age, education, hippocampal volume, and markers of CSVD. A significant interaction between global SUVR and WMH was found in relation to MMSE in CIND (P for interaction: 0.009), with an increase of the effect size of Aβ (β = −6.57 [−9.62 to −3.54], p < 0.001) compared to the model without the interaction term (β = −2.91 [−4.54 to −1.29], p = 0.001).ConclusionHigher global SUVR was associated with worse cognition in CIND and AD, but was augmented by an interaction between global SUVR and WMH only in CIND. This suggests that Aβ and CSVD are independent processes with a possible synergistic effect between Aβ and WMH in individuals with CIND. There was no interaction effect between Aβ and lacunes or CMBs. Therefore, in preclinical phases of AD, WMH should be targeted as a potentially modifiable factor to prevent worsening of cognitive dysfunction.

Download Full-text

The relation between total cerebral small vessel disease burden and gait impairment in patients with minor stroke

International Journal of Stroke ◽

10.1177/1747493017730780 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 518-524 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Caroline MJ Loos ◽

Caroline McHutchison ◽

Vera Cvoro ◽

Stephen DJ Makin ◽

Julie Staals ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Burden ◽

Small Vessel Disease ◽

Cerebral Small Vessel Disease ◽

Small Vessel ◽

Minor Stroke ◽

Lacunar Stroke ◽

Gait Impairment ◽

Vessel Disease ◽

Stroke Impact Scale ◽

Impact Scale

Background and aims Individual MRI markers of cerebral small vessel disease are associated with gait impairment. The impact of total cerebral small vessel disease-related brain damage, expressed by a cerebral small vessel disease MRI burden score, on mobility after stroke, has not been considered, although this score gives a better representation of the overall effect of cerebral small vessel disease on the brain. We determined if the total cerebral small vessel disease burden is associated with gait impairment three years after minor stroke. Methods In total, 200 patients with minor lacunar or non-lacunar stroke (NIHSS ≤ 7) underwent a brain MRI at presentation. Presence of lacunes, white matter hyperintensities, cerebral microbleeds, and perivascular spaces were summed in a total cerebral small vessel disease MRI burden score (range 0–4). Gait disturbances, measured by timed-up-and-go test and self-reported stroke impact scale mobility domain were assessed three years after stroke. We tested associations adjusted for key variables by linear regression analysis. Results Total cerebral small vessel disease burden was not associated with gait impairment after minor stroke in all patients, nor in lacunar stroke patients ( n = 87). In non-lacunar stroke patients ( n = 113), total cerebral small vessel disease burden was associated with lower stroke impact scale mobility domain scores, independent of age, vascular risk factors, and stroke severity (unstandardized B −4.61; 95% CI −8.42; −0.79, p < 0.05). Conclusion Patients with non-lacunar stroke and a higher total cerebral small vessel disease burden have more subjective mobility impairment three years after stroke. The total cerebral small vessel disease MRI burden score is a possible marker to identify patients at risk for subjective gait impairment. These findings should be confirmed in larger studies.

Download Full-text