Absence of association between arterial stiffness and white matter hyperintensities in otherwise healthy hypertensive elderly Chinese

Introduction: Arterial stiffness has been observed to be associated with white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in different populations. This study aimed to investigate whether such association exists in otherwise healthy hypertensive elderly Chinese. Methods: Degree of WMH has been assessed based on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging using Fazekas white matter scale scores, and then dichotomised to compare with quartiles of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (BaPWV), a marker of arterial stiffness. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the odds ratio (OR) for advanced WMH. Results: We studied a population of 252 otherwise healthy hypertensive Chinese over 65 years old, and advanced WMH was present in 53 (22.4%). In the highest BaPWV quartile, 22 (34.9%) subjects had advanced WMH. Significant association was observed between the highest quartile of BaPWV and advanced WMH when using the univariate logistic regression model. However, after controlling for demographic and arterial vascular risk factors (age, gender, body mass index, smoke history, grade of hypertension, duration of hypertension, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), there was no statistically significant association (odds ratio = 2.101; 95% confidence interval, 0.781-5.649). Conclusion: This study did not provide any evidence for significant association between arterial stiffness and WMH. Fazekas white matter scale score may be too simple a tool to reveal the association and we shall pursuit more suitable resolution for further investigation.published_or_final_versio

Cognitive impairments in patients with severe periventricular hyperintensities

Oral PresentationINTRODUCTION: White matter hyperintensities (WMH), best discerned on T2-weighted or fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have been increasingly recognised as one of the underlying causes of insidious cognitive decline. However, there is little information in the literature concerning the cognitive profile of patients with such lesions. We aimed to identify and assess the spectrum of cognitive impairments associated with advanced WMH in a cohort of 340 otherwise healthy hypertensive elderly Chinese. METHODS: Demographical information, standard neuropsychological tests and multi-sequence MRI scans were obtained from all participants. The neuropsychological tests evaluated the following domains: attention, visuospatial ability, memory, language …published_or_final_versio

Feasibility of T1rho MR imaging in identification of the epileptogenic zone in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy

Poster PresentationPURPOSE: T1rho is sensitive to physiochemical exchange and early molecular changes. We aim to investigate the feasibility and utility of T1rho MR imaging in identification of epileptogenic zone in patient with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). METHODS: 7 patients (male 28.6%, female 71.4%; mean age of 36.29±8.77 yrs) with estab…published_or_final_versio

Identifying the earliest sign of pathological cognitive decline by using magnetic resonance imaging structural brain connectivity analysis

PosterINTRODUCTION: With the increasing understanding of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) as a possible precursor of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the early identification of those with truly pathological SCD, and distinguish them from normal aging, is of great clinical importance. We investigated this prodromal stage by studying the structural brain connectivity of subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) patients as compared to MCI and healthy subjects …published_or_final_versio

Gastro-intestinal stromal tumours in Hong Kong

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Visit-to-visit blood pressure variability is associated with periventricular white matter hyperintensity in healthy hypertensive elderly Chinese

Oral PresentationBackground: Visit-to-visit blood pressure variability (BPV) has been reported to be associated with the severity and prognosis of symptomatic stroke, but its correlation with silent stroke is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between BPV and silent cerebral vascular lesions (SCVL). Methods: A total of 239 healthy hypertensive Chinese aged more than 65 years were recruited. SCVLs including silent brain infarcts (BIs), microbleeds (MBs), and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) were determined by magnetic resonance images on a 3T scanner. The severity of WMH was rated using the Fazekas white matter scale. Previous 3-year blood pressure measurements were collected from the electronic medical record. BPV parameters—including standard deviation, coefficient of variation, successive variation, and variation independent of mean blood pressure—were calculated. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the significance of relationships. Result: Of the patients, 26 (10.9%) and 12 (5.0%) had severe periventricular WMH and deep WMH (Fazekas score = 3), respectively. Both systolic and diastolic BPV parameters were correlated with the severity of periventricular WMH (P < 0.05) but not the severity of deep WMH, presence of BIs or MBs. The relationship between BPV parameters and periventricular WMH still existed after adjustment for age and other factors. Conclusion: BPV was an independent predictor of severe periventricular WMH in healthy hypertensive elderly.published_or_final_versio

Proton (1H) magnetic resonance spectroscopy: absolute metabolite concentrations in normal aging human brain at 3Tesla

Session - Normal Aging Brain: Computer 90 (Tuesday)OBJECTIVES: Absolute quantitation of metabolite levels of normal aging human brain has rarely been done. But using a 3T scanner, which provides better signal-to-noise ratio, spectrum with higher resolution can be obtained. MRS can explore aging at a molecular level but controversial findings had been reported in previous frontal lobe studies [1,2] In this study, we investigate in the relationship between regional concentrations of …published_or_final_versionThe 19th Annual Meeting and Exhibition of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM 2011), Montreal, QC., 7-13 May 2011. In Proceedings of the 19th ISMRM, 2011, v. 19, p. 404

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrates neuronal loss and altered glutamatergic neurotransmission in Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND: The role of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is involved in the default mode network during resting state, and is dysfunctional in ageing and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We used magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to study the biochemical and metabolite profile in patients with AD, and compared with cognitive-normal healthy controls (HC) with no cognitive complaints …published_or_final_versio

Acute ischaemic stroke during short-term travel to high altitude

This is a case report of a young healthy adult who had acute cerebral infarcts after a short-term visit to high-altitude area. He developed acute onset of right-sided limb weakness and right hemianopia a few hours after arrival at an altitude of 3600 m by train. He was initially treated for high-altitude cerebral oedema but later computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed ischaemic infarcts in the medial left occipital lobe and left thalamus. Subsequent investigations, including laboratory tests and imaging including an echocardiogram, revealed no culpable predisposing factors.published_or_final_versio