Background: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and number of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in a Hispanic and Latino cohort from various self-identified backgrounds and test associations with age, vascular risk factors, APOE (apolipoprotein E), and cognitive function.
Methods: The 3T brain magnetic resonance imaging exams were obtained on SOL-INCA-MRI (Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging-MRI) magnetic resonance imaging study participants, a community-based study. CMB number was counted and categorized as: (1) any CMB, (2) lobar only, (3) deep only, (4) mixed, (5) deep+mixed, and (6) lobar+mixed. We examined whether prevalence of CMBs varied by age, sex, education, Hispanic background, cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, Framingham Risk Score), APOE genotype, and cognition.
Results: A total of 2455 participants were included who were 63.0±8.4 years of age, 67.9% women, and 62.2% high school education or higher. CMBs prevalence was 11.7% (8.3% lobar only, 2.0% deep only, 1.4% mixed locations). After adjusting for age, sex, and education, a high Framingham Risk Score was associated with the presence of CMBs of all types, except lobar only. Prevalent stroke/transient ischemic attack was associated with higher likelihood of deep-only CMBs. For participants with cognitive impairment, the adjusted prevalence of mixed CMBs (2.2% versus 1.1%, P=0.023) and deep-only+mixed CMBs (5.2% versus 3.1%, P=0.010) was significantly higher compared with cognitively normal. Cognitive impairment was significantly associated with higher total CMB count (rate ratio, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.14-1.87]; P=0.003). No significant associations were found between diabetes, APOE4, and any CMB type.
Conclusions: High vascular risk scores, self-reported history of stroke/transient ischemic attack, and cognitive status were associated with a higher likelihood of CMBs, especially in deep regions.
Keywords: Hispanic and Latino heritage; cerebral microbleeds; cognitive function; vascular risk factors.