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Published in: BMC Neurology 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Research article

Increase of blood-brain barrier leakage is related to cognitive decline in vascular mild cognitive impairment

Authors: Man Li, Yue Li, Long Zuo, Wenli Hu, Tao Jiang

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, as an early biomarker for vascular mild cognitive impairment (vMCI), has only been validated by a few studies. The aim of this study was to investigate whether compromised BBB integrity is involved in vMCI patients, and detect the relationship between BBB breakdown and cognitive function. BBB leakage in vMCI was explored, and the relationship between BBB leakage and cognitive function was discussed in this study.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study involving 26 vMCI patients and 21 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Dynamic contrast-enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging was performed for all participants, to determine BBB leakage. Leakage volume, leakage rate, and fractional blood plasma volume (Vp) in the grey and white matter were evaluated. Neuropsychological tests were used to determine cognitive function. Leakage rate, leakage volume, and Vp in different brain locations, including deep grey matter, cortical grey matter, white matter hyperintensity, and normal-appearing white matter were compared between the two groups.

Results

Multivariable linear regression analyses revealed that in all regions of interest, the leakage rate was significantly higher in vMCI patients relative to controls. Leakage volume in normal-appearing white matter and white matter hyperintensity were significantly higher, while Vp in normal-appearing white matter, deep grey matter, and cortical grey matter were significantly lower in vMCI patients. Moreover, Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores decreased with the increase of leakage rate in white matter hyperintensity.

Conclusion

Increased BBB permeability was detected in vMCI patients and was related to cognitive decline, which suggested that BBB breakdown might be involved in cognitive dysfunction pathogenesis.
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Metadata
Title
Increase of blood-brain barrier leakage is related to cognitive decline in vascular mild cognitive impairment
Authors
Man Li
Yue Li
Long Zuo
Wenli Hu
Tao Jiang
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-021-02189-6

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