Structural brain changes and cognition in relation to markers of vascular dysfunction

The aim was to investigate the relationship between blood markers of vascular dysfunction with brain microstructural changes and cognition. Eighty-six participants from the Barcelona-Asymptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis (AsIA) neuropsychology study were included. Subjects were 50–65 years old,...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Miralbell Blanch, Júlia, Soriano Raya, Juan José, Spulber, Gabriela, López Cancio, Elena, Arenillas, Juan Francisco, Bargalló Alabart, Núria, Galán, Amparo, Barrios Cerrejón, M. Teresa, Cáceres, Cynthia, Alzamora, María Teresa, Pera, Guillem, Kivipelto, Miia, Wahlund, Lars-Olof, Dávalos, Antoni, Mataró Serrat, Maria
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2012
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/226410
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/226410
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Malalties cerebrovasculars
Cervell
Cerebrovascular disease
Brain
Descripción
Sumario:The aim was to investigate the relationship between blood markers of vascular dysfunction with brain microstructural changes and cognition. Eighty-six participants from the Barcelona-Asymptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis (AsIA) neuropsychology study were included. Subjects were 50–65 years old, free from dementia and without history of vascular disease. We assessed correlations of blood levels of inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein [CRP] and resistin) and fibrinolysis inhibitors (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 [PAI-1] and A-lipoprotein (Lp (a)) with fractional anisotropy (FA) measurements of diffusion tensor images (DTI), regional gray matter (GM) volumes and performance in several cognitive domains. Increasing levels of C-reactive protein and PAI-1 levels were associated with white matter (WM) integrity loss in corticosubcortical pathways and association fibers of frontal and temporal lobes, independently of age, sex and vascular risk factors. PAI-1 was also related to lower speed and visuomotor/coordination. None of the biomarkers were related to gray matter volume changes. Our findings suggest that inflammation and dysregulation of the fibrynolitic system may be involved in the pathological mechanisms underlying the WM damage seen in cerebrovascular disease and subsequent cognitive impairment.