Study: CVD Biomarkers are Linked to CMI-Related Brain Injury
Biomarkers of subclinical cardiac disease, as well as atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, and congestive heart failure, are associated with cortical cerebral microinfarcts (CMIs), which are commonly associated with cognitive impairment, according to the results of a recent study.
While previous research has suggested links between manifestations of cerebrovascular disease on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and subclinical and clinical cardiovascular diseases, the relationship between these diseases and CMIs is unknown.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RELATED CONTENT
Study Questions Link Between Heart Procedures and Cognitive Decline
Cognitive Decline May Increase Stroke Risk in Older Adults
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
To examine this relationship, researchers from National University Health System conducted a baseline cross-sectional analysis of a cohort study from August 12, 2010 to July 28, 2015 involving 464 memory clinic participants. Blood samples were collected from all participants, who also underwent neuropsychological assessment and 3-T MRI.
Of the 464 participants, 124 had insufficient blood plasma samples and 97 had no CMI grading available. Of the remaining 243 participants, 70 (28.8%) had cortical CMIs.
Individuals with CMIs had a significantly higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, and congestive heart failure, compared with individuals without CMIs. Further, those with CMIs also had higher levels of N-terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T than those individuals without CMIs.
“This study found that biomarkers of subclinical cardiac disease and clinically manifest cardiac diseases were associated with CMIs on 3-T MRI in patients attending a memory clinic, suggesting that cardiac disease may contribute to the development of CMIs. Hence, cardiac dysfunction should be targeted as a potentially modifiable factor to prevent CMI-related brain injury,” the researchers concluded.
—Michael Potts
Reference:
- Hilal S, Chai YL, van Veluw S, et al. Association between subclinical cardiac biomarkers and clinically manifest cardiac diseases with cortical cerebral microinfarcts [published online February 6, 2017]. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2016.5335.
- Novel link between unhealthy hearts and dementia [press release]. National University Health System. Singapore. March 22, 2017. http://www.nuhs.edu.sg/wbn/slot/news/ah01/670486b46_u1453.pdf.