Determination of hemorrhagic transformation risk in acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease: The relationship between ADC values and GRE hemo sequence microhemorrhage.

Background and purpose:

To determine the risk of hemorrhagic transformation in patients with acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease, we investigated the relationship between Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Magnetic Resonance Imaging values measured within the infarct area and microbleeds observed on Gradient Echo Sequence Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

A total of 172 patients who were hospitalized to the Neurology Clinic of the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Health Erenkoy Mental and Nervous Diseases Training and Research Hospital between June 2019 and March 2020 were included in this cross-sectional study. The patients were classified according to their demographic and clinical characteristics, by age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and alcohol use. In the Cranial Magnetic Resonance Imaging taken in the application for the diagnosis of acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease, the infarction area in Apparent Diffusion Coefficient sequences with the Region of Interest value and the relationship between microhemorrhage observed in Gradient Echo hemo-sequence was evaluated in Magnetic Resonance Imaging applied between 3-7 days. While calculating spherical Region of Interest values, 5 Region of Interest values were obtained for lesions larger than 1.5x1.5 cm, and their arithmetic mean was obtained, and single spherical Region of Interest value was taken for smaller ones. Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Magnetic Resonance Imaging Region of Interest mean values were divided into 2 groups as <500x10–6 mm2 /s and >500x10–6 mm2/s. 

Patients in the group with Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Region of Interest mean values below 500x10-6 mm2/s, had a significantly higher probability for microhemorrhage observes in Gradient Echo Sequence Magnetic Resonance Imaging (p: 0.001) and also more likely to experience microhemorrhage in other areas, which was statistically significant (p: 0.001).The probability of another micro-bleeding observed in patients with microhemorrhage Gradient Echo Sequence Magnetic Resonance Imaging was also statistically significant (p: 0,001). The risk of microbleeding in areas other than ischemia was also found to be significantly higher in patients with microbleeding in the ischemia area in Gradient Echo Sequence Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

In our study, a statistically significant relationship was found between the microhemorrhage in the infarct area and the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Region of Interest values. When the literature was reviewed, no such study was found to determine the risk of bleeding.

Validity and Reliability Study of Online Cognitive Tracking Software (BEYNEX).

Background: Detecting cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer's disease early and tracking it over time is essential for individuals at risk of cognitive decline. Objective: This research aimed to validate the Beynex app's gamified assessment tests and the Beynex Performance Index (BPI) score, which monitor cognitive performance across seven categories, considering age and education data. Methods: Beynex test cut-off scores of participants (n = 91) were derived from the optimization function and compared to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. Validation and reliability analyses were carried out with data collected from an additional 214 participants. Results: Beynex categorization scores showed a moderate agreement with MoCA ratings (weighted Cohen's Kappa = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.38-0.60). Calculated Cronbach's Alpha indicates good internal consistency. Test-retest reliability analysis using a linear regression line fitted to results yielded R∧2 of 0.65 with a 95% CI: 0.58, 0.71. Discussion: Beynex's ability to reliably detect and track cognitive impairment could significantly impact public health, early intervention strategies and improve patient outcomes.