Safety and Efficacy of Anti-dementia Agents in the Extremely Elderly Patients with Dementia.

BACKGROUND: There are debates on representation and generalizability of previous randomized controlled trials about anti-dementia agents in the oldest old population. In this context, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of anti-dementia agents in the very elderly patients with dementia. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with dementia 1) who were 85 years or older, 2) got started anti-dementia agents, and 3) went through follow-up evaluation about one year thereafter. As a control, patients with dementia who were less than 85 years old with similar inclusion criteria were randomly selected during the same period. The adverse drug effects and discontinuation rates were investigated with self-reported complaint after starting or increasing anti-dementia drugs. For efficacy outcome, we also analyzed the change in neuropsychological results during follow-up period. RESULTS: A total of 77 dementia patients who were at least 85 years were enrolled. As a control group, 78 patients with dementia who were younger than 85 was analyzed. The adverse drug effects were observed in 26 (33.3%) patients in the younger old and in 26 (33.8%) in the oldest old (P = 0.095). Twenty-one patients (26.9%) in the younger old group and 13 patients (16.9%) in the oldest old group discontinued their medication (P = 0.131). There were no differences between the two groups about changes of Mini-Mental State Examination and Instrumental Activity of Daily Living scores over time. CONCLUSION: The use of anti-dementia agents in the oldest old dementia patients may be safe and effective as the younger old dementia patients.

The Fate of Acute Lacunar Lesions in Terms of Shape and Size.

BACKGROUND: The description of lacunar infarcts on imaging is widely variable. In particular, there are fewer agreements on lacunar lesion size and the presence of cavitation. In this regard, we investigated the changes in size and shape of acute ischemic lesion that is possibly considered as small vessel occlusion on long-term follow-up. METHODS: Patients with acute single subcortical ischemic lesion on penetrating arterial territories and without definite cause of cardioembolism and large vessel disease were included. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed during an acute stroke period and approximately 1 year after the stroke. Maximal diameters on diffusion-weighted image and on follow-up (T2 or fluid attenuation inversion recovery) were measured. The change in lesion diameter over time was analyzed. Regarding the change in shape, lacunar lesions on follow-up were classified as either "disappeared," "cavitated," or "white matter lesion." RESULTS: A total of 64 patients were included. The mean age was 64.94 ± 11.29 years and 32 patients were male. The mean time interval between initial and follow-up MR scan was 23.39 ± 14.88 months. The mean diameter of acute lacunar lesion was 14.11 ± 5.77 mm. On follow-up, the mean diameter reduced to 7.76 ± 5.19 mm. The mean percentage of final diameter over initial diameter was 53.57 ± 26.45%. All of the lesions were less than 15 mm on follow-up. Regarding the shape of the lesion on follow-up, the lesions of 33 (51.6%) patients remained cavitated, the lesions of 14 (21.9%) patients remained as white matter lesions, and the lesions of 17 (26.6%) patients disappeared. There were no differences on clinical characteristics between patients with cavitation and those without. CONCLUSIONS: The diameter of acute lacunar lesions on initial diffusion-weighted MRI was markedly reduced on follow-up. In 52% of the patients, acute lacunar lesions were cavitated.

Reperfusion injury on magnetic resonance imaging after carotid revascularization.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Reperfusion injury can be revealed as delayed gadolinium enhancement in the subarachnoid space on a fluid-attenuated inversion recovery image, which is designated as a hyperintense acute reperfusion marker (HARM). We sought to investigate the occurrence and predictors of HARM and its association with new ischemic infarcts after carotid revascularization. METHODS: Forty-five patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy or stenting were prospectively enrolled. Diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery were performed before and 24 hours after the procedures. Postprocedural fluid-attenuated inversion recovery was done after intravenous gadolinium injection. RESULTS: HARM was observed in 8 (17.8%) patients. Of these, 4 patients showed neurological deterioration associated with HARM. These symptomatic HARMs disappeared on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging. Patients with symptomatic HARM were older (P=0.010) and had more frequent leukoaraiosis (P=0.012) and higher postprocedural systolic blood pressure (P=0.025) than those without. New brain infarcts on postprocedural diffusion-weighted imaging were identified in 13 (28.9%) patients. HARM was not associated with new infarcts. CONCLUSIONS: HARM after carotid revascularization is not uncommon. Symptomatic HARM was associated with old age, underlying leukoaraiosis, and postprocedural high blood pressure.

Transneuronal retrograde degeneration of the retinal ganglion cells in patients with cerebral infarction.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine whether transneuronal retrograde degeneration (TRD) of the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) could be detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in humans with lesions other than of the occipital lobe or visual cortex. In addition, whether laterality and severity of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) damage correlated with 3 other variables was determined: laterality of hemispheric damage, arterial territory of infarct, and age of infarct. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, case-control design. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-six patients with cerebral ischemic infarction diagnosed based on brain magnetic resonance imaging and 46 normal controls were enrolled. METHODS: All subjects underwent a complete ophthalmic examination including OCT. Cerebral infarction was categorized by arterial territory: anterior cerebral artery (ACA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), and posterior cerebral artery (PCA). Eyes on the same side of the infarction were referred to as ipsilateral eyes, and eyes on the opposite side of the infarction were referred as contralateral eyes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. RESULTS: Average, superior, temporal, inferior, and nasal RNFL thicknesses were different significantly between patients with cerebral infarction and normal controls. The RNFL thicknesses were reduced significantly at the superior, inferior, and nasal quadrants in the contralateral eyes and at the superior, inferior, and temporal quadrants in the ipsilateral eyes. The RNFL thickness reduction was greater in patients with PCA infarction, followed by MCA and ACA infarction, respectively. Factors related to the average RNFL thickness were time after stroke onset and infarction territory based on both univariate (P = 0.027 and P = 0.046, respectively) and multivariate (P = 0.036 and P = 0.047, respectively) analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was reduced in patients with cerebral infarction, providing evidence for TRD of the RGCs. Transneuronal retrograde degeneration was more pronounced in the nasal nerve fiber layer of the contralateral side and in the temporal nerve fiber layer of the ipsilateral side of cerebral damage. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Long-term follow-up of incidental intracranial aneurysms in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: The natural history of incidental intracranial aneurysms in patients with acute ischemic stroke is not well known. Therefore, we performed a 2-year follow-up of clinical outcomes and computed tomographic angiography (CTA) findings of incidentally found aneurysm in acute ischemic stroke patients. METHODS: We included acute ischemic stroke patients who presented within 7 days of stroke onset. Patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging and CTA. Demographics, clinical outcome, presence of aneurysm, aneurysm type, location, and diameter of aneurysm were identified. CTA was performed at least 2 years after the initial examination. The development of all cases of hemorrhage related to aneurysmal rupture and long-term clinical outcome were checked. RESULTS: Incidental intracranial aneurysms were found in 19 (6.1%) of the 314 patients. The sex (female) and old age were associated with the presence of incidental intracranial aneurysms. Favorable outcome (modified Rankin scale score 0-2) at 3 months showed no difference between the patients with aneurysm and those without (72.2% v 75.2%; P = .78). No aneurysm rupture or subarachnoid hemorrhage has occurred during the 2-year follow-up period. Follow-up CTA could be performed in 10 out of the 19 patients with aneurysm. Nine of them showed no change regarding to aneurysm shape and size, and the aneurysm disappeared in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the prevalence of incidental aneurysm among acute ischemic stroke patients was 6.1%. After 2 years of follow-up, there was no aneurysm rupture or subarachnoid hemorrhage, and the diameter and shape of aneurysms did not change except for 1 patient in whom the aneurysm disappeared.

Mortality and causes of death in patients with Parkinson's disease: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Objective: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease involving multiple systems that can affect mortality. This study aimed to compare all-cause and cause-specific mortality between people with PD and without PD. Methods: This population-based prospective cohort study is based on Korean National Health Insurance Service data. The primary outcome was the hazard ratio (HR) of all-cause and cause-specific mortality for PD from 2010 to 2019. Cox proportional hazards regression was applied to calculate HRs under crude and three adjusted models with epidemiologic variables. Results: A total of 8,220 PD patients and 41,100 age- and sex-matched controls without PD were registered. Ten-year mortality was 47.9% in PD patients and 20.3% in non-PD controls. The mortality rate was higher among older and male participants. The leading cause of death in PD was nervous system diseases (38.73%), and 97.1% of those were extrapyramidal and movement disorders, followed by circulatory diseases (15.33%), respiratory diseases (12.56%), and neoplasms (9.7%). PD contributed to an increased risk of all-cause death with an HR of 2.96 (95% CI = 2.84-3.08). HRs of death for PD were 3.07 (95% CI = 2.74-3.45) from respiratory diseases, 1.93 (95% CI = 1.75-2.13) from circulatory diseases, 2.35 (95% CI = 2.00-2.77) from external causes, and 2.69 (95% CI = 2.10-3.43) from infectious diseases. Conclusion: These results showed that PD was related to a higher risk of mortality in all ages and sexes. The leading causes of death in PD were nervous, circulatory, respiratory, infectious diseases, and external causes.

Clinical Significance of Physical Frailty in Subjects With Subjective Cognitive Decline: A Prospective Study With Amyloid PET Data.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Physical frailty is known to be closely associated with cognitive impairment and to be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease. We aimed to understand the characteristics of physical frailty and define factors associated with physical frailty in subjects with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) by analyzing amyloid data. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled subjects with SCD from a cohort study to identify predictors for the clinical progression to mild cognitive impairment or dementia from SCD (CoSCo). All of the subjects underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging, and brain amyloid positron-emission tomography (PET) to detect amyloid beta plaques. Self-reported exhaustion, handgrip strength, and gait speed were used to measure physical frailty. RESULTS: Of 120 subjects with SCD, 26 (21.7%) were amyloid-positive in PET. Female (odds ratio [OR]=3.79, p=0.002) and amyloid-PET-positive (OR=3.80, p=0.008) subjects with SCD were at high risks of self-reported exhaustion. Amyloid PET positivity (OR=3.22, p=0.047) and high burden from periventricular white-matter hyperintensity (OR=3.34, 95% confidence interval=1.18-9.46, p=0.023) were significantly associated with a weaker handgrip. The subjects with SCD with self-reported exhaustion and weaker handgrip presented with lower cognitive performance in neuropsychological tests, especially for information processing speed and executive function. Subjects with a slower gait performed worse in visual memory function tests. CONCLUSIONS: Amyloid PET positivity was associated with a higher risk of self-reported exhaustion and weaker handgrip in subjects with SCD. The subjects with SCD and physical frailty also performed worse in neuropsychological tests.

Reperfusion therapy in unclear-onset stroke based on MRI evaluation (RESTORE): a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Unclear-onset strokes are generally excluded from time-based thrombolytic therapy. We examined the safety and feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging-based reperfusion therapy in unclear-onset stroke. METHODS: This prospective, multicenter, single-arm study screened consecutive unclear-onset stroke patients within 6 hours of symptom detection. Patients with perfusion-diffusion mismatch>20% and negative or subtle fluid-attenuated inversion recovery changes were treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator, intra-arterial therapy, or a combination. The safety outcome was symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 48 hours after treatment. The primary efficacy outcome was a 3-month modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2. Controls were untreated unclear-onset stroke patients prospectively captured in stroke registries. RESULTS: Of 430 unclear-onset stroke patients, 83 (19.3%) received reperfusion therapy (mean age, 67.5±10.4 years; males, 66.3%; median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, 14). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage with any neurological decline developed in 5 patients (6.0%). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale worsening ≥4 developed in 3 patients (3.6%). Thirty-seven patients (44.6%) achieved modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2, and 24 (28.9%) had modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 1. Female, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, no immediate or early recanalization, and more white blood cells were independent predictors of poor outcome. Compared with untreated controls, the treated group was significantly associated with good outcomes of modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2 after adjusting for age, sex, and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale in logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.14-4.49). CONCLUSIONS: In unclear-onset stroke patients, magnetic resonance imaging-based reperfusion therapy was feasible and safe. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm the benefit of reperfusion therapy for unclear-onset stroke.

Dynamic Changes of Carotid Atherosclerosis and Their Relation with Stroke Recurrence in Patients with Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to show dynamic changes in carotid and vertebral artery using carotid Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) through a long-term follow- up exam, and determine their associations with stroke recurrence. METHODS: We consecutively enrolled stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients who had undergone DUS more than twice with intervals of three months or more. Stroke recurrence during follow-up was also investigated by reviewing medical records. Progress or regress of plaque was defined as more than 0.1 mm change from the initial scan with a semi-quantitative measurement. The development of new plaque was also regarded as plaque progress. Increased intima-media thickness and plaque presence were interpreted at the initial and follow-up scans. Factors related to progression or regression were analyzed. The relationship between plaque change and stroke recurrence was investigated. RESULTS: A total of 201 patients were enrolled (186 ischemic stroke patients and 15 TIA patients). There were 61 (30.3%) females. Their mean age was 64.2 ± 9.9 years. During a follow-up of 35.0 ± 22.6 (mean ± SD) months, plaque progress was observed in 92 (45.8%) and plaque regress in 13 (6.5%). Stroke recurred in 18 patients. Plaque progression showed no significant association with age, risk factors, statin use, or subtype. After adjustment of age, sex, diabetes, and stroke subtype, multiple logistic regression showed a significant association of plaque progression with stroke recurrence (odds ratio: 3.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.1 to 13.1, p = 0.034). Patients with plaque regress were significantly younger than those without plaque regress (57.8 years vs. 64.6 years, p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: Plaque progression occurred in 46% of stroke or TIA patients. Plaque progression was significantly associated with clinical stroke recurrence. Plaque regressed in 6.5% of patients. Patients with regression were younger than those without.

Effect of literacy and education on the visuoconstructional ability of non-demented elderly individuals.

Learning to read and to write influences not only verbal skills but also global cognitive performance. Our study aimed to compare the visuoconstructional abilities of elderly illiterates with those of elderly literates. A total of 125 healthy subjects over 65 years old were recruited. Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) constructional praxis examination were used. We divided subjects into three groups (educated literate n = 53, uneducated literate n = 36 and uneducated illiterate n = 36). Interlocking pentagons drawing, a part of the K-MMSE, was scored using the 6-point hierarchical scale. The uneducated-illiterate group obtained significantly lower scores than did the other two groups. Scores on the ADAS-cog constructional praxis test were highest in the educated-literate group and those in the uneducated-illiterate group obtained the lowest scores. We demonstrated that illiteracy influences not only language performance but also visuoconstructional functioning.

Stroke awareness decreases prehospital delay after acute ischemic stroke in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Delayed arrival at hospital is one of the major obstacles in enhancing the rate of thrombolysis therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Our study aimed to investigate factors associated with prehospital delay after acute ischemic stroke in Korea. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter study was conducted at 14 tertiary hospitals in Korea from March 2009 to July 2009. We interviewed 500 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who arrived within 48 hours. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate factors influencing prehospital delay. RESULTS: Among the 500 patients (median 67 years, 62% men), the median time interval from symptom onset to arrival was 474 minutes (interquartile range, 170-1313). Early arrival within 3 hours of symptom onset was significantly associated with the following factors: high National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, previous stroke, atrial fibrillation, use of ambulance, knowledge about thrombolysis and awareness of the patient/bystander that the initial symptom was a stroke. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that awareness of the patient/bystander that the initial symptom was a stroke (OR 4.438, 95% CI 2.669-7.381), knowledge about thrombolysis (OR 2.002, 95% CI 1.104-3.633) and use of ambulance (OR 1.961, 95% CI 1.176-3.270) were significantly associated with early arrival. CONCLUSIONS: In Korea, stroke awareness not only on the part of patients, but also of bystanders, had a great impact on early arrival at hospital. To increase the rate of thrombolysis therapy and the incidence of favorable outcomes, extensive general public education including how to recognize stroke symptoms would be important.

Acute ischemic stroke lasting for 5 days without definite lesions on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in a patient with severe leukoaraiosis.

The reported frequency of false-negative diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) cases is 3.5%-25%. However, territorial stroke (eg, middle cerebral artery territory) with negative DWI is very rare. We report a case of territorial ischemic stroke persisting for 5 days without identification of a definite lesion on DWI but with decreased perfusion on perfusion computed tomography in a patient with underlying severe leukoaraiosis. This case suggests that severe leukoaraiosis might be responsible for the negative finding on DWI in acute ischemic stroke.

Newly diagnosed diabetes has high risk for cardiovascular outcome in ischemic stroke patients.

We investigated cardiovascular outcomes in ischemic stroke patients with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) compared with those of patients with previously known DM and no DM using the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) criteria. The relationship between new DM diagnosis and cardiovascular risk remains unclear to date. We performed post hoc analysis using the data of participants from the Prevention of Cardiovascular events in iSchemic Stroke patients with high risk of cerebral hemOrrhage (PICASSO) trial. Newly diagnosed DM was defined as HbA1c of ≥ 6.5% without known DM history. The outcome was the incidence of composite cardiovascular events, including stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic), myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular death. In total, 1306 patients were included; 38 patients (2.9%) had newly diagnosed DM; 438 patients (33.5%), known DM; and 830 patients (63.6%), no DM. In patients with newly diagnosed DM, known DM, and no DM, the incidence of ischemic stroke was 8.93, 3.79, and 2.64 per 100 person-years (log-rank test; p = 0.0092), while that of composite cardiovascular events was 8.93, 5.92, and 3.87 per 100 person-years (p = 0.025), respectively. Newly diagnosed DM was an important risk factor for ischemic stroke and composite cardiovascular events after ischemic stroke.Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01013532.

Differentiation of hemorrhagic infarction from primary intracerebral hemorrhage in the chronic period.

Regarding incidentally found old hemorrhagic foci on gradient-echo magnetic resonance imaging (GRE), it is difficult to distinguish whether the foci are the consequence of hemorrhagic infarction (HI) or primary intracerebral hemorrhage (PICH). We analyzed the radiological characteristics of patients with a definite history of HI or PICH by reviewing long-term follow-up GRE. We retrospectively enrolled patients with HI or PICH, verified by clinical history and radiological findings, who had undergone follow-up GRE at least 3 months after the first imaging. The shape of the hemorrhagic lesion was classified as "cavitation" or "no cavitation." The shape of the hemosiderin rim was classified as total dark rim and partial dark rim. Hyperintense perilesional signal was determined when an obvious hyperintensity on T2-weighted image was present. Further, we compared the radiological characteristics between HI and PICH. In total, 69 patients (38 with HI and 31 with PICH) were enrolled, of whom 45 (65%) were men. The mean patient age was 65.5 ± 12.7 years. The mean time interval from the initial stroke onset to the follow-up image was 56.2 months. Hyperintense perilesional signal was observed in 38 patients; it was associated with HI (33/38 vs. 5/31, p < 0.001). Furthermore, partial dark rim was associated with HI (34/40 vs. 4/29, p < 0.001). Cavitation was more frequently observed in patients with HI than in those with PICH (36/60 vs. 2/9, p = 0.068). Presence of hyperintense perilesional signal and partially encasing dark hemosiderin rim suggest that chronic hemorrhagic foci are the sequelae of HI, not PICH.

Coexistence of Cerebral Microbleeds and Amyloid Pathology in Patients with Cognitive Complaints.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We investigated the prevalence of amyloid positivity and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in subjects with cognitive complaints with the aim of identifying differences in clinical parameters and cognitive function according to the pattern of coexistence. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 200 subjects with memory impairment and applied both standardized ¹8F-florbetaben PET and brain MRI, including susceptibility-weighted imaging. The amyloid burden was visually classified as positive or negative, and the number and location of CMBs were also analyzed visually. Descriptive analysis was performed for the prevalence of amyloid positivity and CMBs. The relationship between the coexisting pattern of those two findings and clinical parameters including the results of neuropsychiatric tests was analyzed. RESULTS: Positive amyloid PET scans were exhibited by 102 (51.5%) of the 200 patients, and 51 (25.5%) of them had CMBs, which were mostly located in lobar areas in the patients with positive amyloid scans. The patients with CMBs were older and had a higher burden of white-matter hyperintensities than the patients without CMBs. The patients with CMBs also performed worse in confrontation naming and frontal/executive function. When classified by topographical region, parietal CMBs (odds ratio=3.739, p=0.024) were significantly associated with amyloid positivity. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CMBs was higher in patients with cognitive decline than in the general population. CMBs play distinctive roles in affecting clinical parameters and neuropsychological profiles according to the coexistence of amyloid pathology.

Different Cortical Thinning Patterns Depending on Their Prognosis in Individuals with Subjective Cognitive Decline.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may be the first stage corresponding to subtle cognitive changes in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) spectrum disorders. We evaluated the differences in cortical thinning patterns among patients with SCD who progressed to mild cognitive impairment or dementia (pSCD), those who remained stable (sSCD), and healthy normal controls (NCs). METHODS: We retrospectively recruited SCD subjects (14 pSCD and 21 sSCD cases) and 29 NCs. Structural 3-dimensional-T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was performed using a single 1.5 Tesla scanner. Freesurfer software was used to map cortical thickness for group comparisons. RESULTS: Compared with NC group, the sSCD group showed diffuse cortical atrophy associated with bilateral fronto-parieto-temporal area. The pSCD group showed further characteristic cortical atrophy in AD-vulnerable regions including the inferior parieto-temporal and middle temporal areas. Cortical thinning in the bilateral medial frontal areas was observed in patients with sSCD and involved the right inferior temporal and left precentral areas in those with pSCD. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that SCD subjects exhibit different cortical thinning patterns depending on their prognosis.

Cerebral Microbleeds in a Stroke Prevention Clinic.

The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a stroke clinic in stroke prevention and progression of cerebral microbleeds (CMB). We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients who visited a stroke clinic between January 2011 and March 2017. Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) MRI studies were obtained at baseline and follow-up visits to identify new infarctions and CMB progression. Patients with CMB who also underwent brain computed tomography (CT) imaging were identified and their cerebral arterial calcification was quantified to evaluate the relationship between the extent of intracranial calcification and CMB burden. A total of 64 stroke patients (mean age 73.1 ± 11.0, 47% males) had CMB on baseline and follow-up MRI studies. During a mean follow-up period of 22.6 months, four strokes occurred (4/64, 6%; 3 ischemic, 1 hemorrhagic), producing mild neurological deficit. Progression of CMB was observed in 54% of patients with two MRIs and was significantly associated with length of follow-up. Subjects with intracranial calcification score > 300 cm3 had higher CMB count than those with scores <300 cm3 at both baseline (12.6 ± 11.7 vs. 4.9 ± 2.2, p = 0.02) and follow-up (14.1 ± 11.8 vs. 5.6 ± 2.4, p = 0.03) MRI evaluations. Patients with CMB had a relatively benign overall clinical course. The association between CMB burden and intracranial calcification warrants further study.

Early Functional Connectivity Predicts Recovery from Visual Field Defects after Stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We aimed to assess whether early resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) changes measured via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) could predict recovery from visual field defect (VFD) in acute stroke patients. METHODS: Patients with VFD due to acute ischemic stroke in the visual cortex and age-matched healthy controls were prospectively enrolled. Serial resting-state (RS)-fMRI and Humphrey visual field (VF) tests were performed within 1 week and at 1 and 3 months (additional VF test at 6 months) after stroke onset in the patient group. The control group also underwent RS-fMRI and a Humphrey VF test. The changes in RSFCs and VF scores (VFSs) over time and their correlations were investigated. RESULTS: In 32 patients (65±10 years, 25 men), the VFSs were lower and the interhemispheric RSFC in the visual cortices was decreased compared to the control group (n=15, 62±6 years, seven men). The VFSs and interhemispheric RSFC in the visual cortex increased mainly within the first month after stroke onset. The interhemispheric RSFC and VFSs were positively correlated at 1 month after stroke onset. Moreover, the interhemispheric RSFCs in the visual cortex within 1 week were positively correlated with the follow-up VFSs. CONCLUSIONS: Interhemispheric RSFCs in the visual cortices within 1 week after stroke onset may be a useful biomarker to predict long-term VFD recovery.