Zhang Y, Zhang R, Hong H, Wang S, Xie L, Cui L, Li J, Hong L, Li K, Zeng Q, Zhou Y, Zhang M, Sun J, Huang P. An Investigation of Cerebral Vascular Functional Properties in Middle-to-Old Age Community People With High Vascular Risk Profiles.
J Magn Reson Imaging 2024. [PMID:
38329184 DOI:
10.1002/jmri.29278]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Vascular degeneration is an important cause of brain damage in aging. Assessing the functional properties of the cerebral vascular system may aid early diagnosis and prevention.
PURPOSE
To investigate the relationships between potential vascular functional markers and vascular risks, brain parenchymal damage, and cognition.
STUDY TYPE
Retrospective.
SUBJECTS
Two hundred two general community subjects (42-80 years, males/females: 127/75).
FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE
3 T, spin echo T1W/T2W/FLAIR, resting-state functional MRI with an echo-planar sequence (rsfMRI), pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) with a three-dimensional gradient-spin echo sequence.
ASSESSMENT
Cerebral blood flow (CBF) in gray matter calculated using pCASL, blood transit times calculated using rsfMRI, and the SD of internal carotid arteries signal (ICAstd ) calculated using rsfMRI; visual assessment for lacunes; quantification of white matter hyperintensity volume; permutation test for quality control; collection of demographic and clinical data, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Mini-Mental State Examination.
STATISTICAL TESTS
Kolmogorov-Smirnov test; Spearman rank correlation analysis; Multivariable linear regression analysis controlling for covariates; The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.
RESULTS
Age was negatively associated with ICAstd (β = -0.180). Diabetes was associated with longer blood transit time from large arteries to capillary bed (β = 0.185, adjusted for age, sex, and intracranial volume). Larger ICAstd was associated with less presence of lacunes (odds ratio: 0.418, adjusted for age and sex). Higher gray matter CBF (β = 0.154) and larger ICAstd (β = 0.136) were associated with better MoCA scores (adjusted for age, sex, and education).
DATA CONCLUSION
Prolonged blood transit time, decreased ICAstd , and diminished CBF were associated with vascular dysfunction and cognitive impairment. They may serve as vascular functional markers in future studies.
EVIDENCE LEVEL
3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.
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