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Neurologic correlates of infarction-like lesion location on magnetic resonance imaging in the cardiovascular health study

TitleNeurologic correlates of infarction-like lesion location on magnetic resonance imaging in the cardiovascular health study
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2000
AuthorsMcClelland, RL, Kronmal, RA, Bryan, RN, Manolio, TA, Herskovits, EH, Kuller, LH, O'Leary, DH
JournalJ. Stroke Cerebrovascular Disease
Volume9
Issue5
Start Page218
Pagination228
Date Published2000-01-01
Keywordsbasal, Brain, Cerebral Cortex, ganglia, Health, history, Infarction, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, methods, Odds Ratio, Population, Prevalence, Stroke
AbstractObjective: To evaluate and quantify the associations of infarction-like lesion location in the brain with cognitive and physical impairment in an elderly population. Methods: Data from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for 3647 Cardiovascular Health Study participants were analyzed. Associations between infarction-like lesion location and various neurologic and performance-based measurements were assessed by using regression models. Continuous responses were expressed in percentiles. Models excluding participants with a history of stroke were also examined. Results: Brainstem infarction-like lesions were associated with a severely reduced Mini-Mental State Examination score (difference [d] = 15 percentiles, P < .001), reduced digit-symbol score (d = 12 percentiles, P < .01), increased time to walk 15 feet (d = 15 percentiles, P < .001), and increased odds of a history of dizziness (odds ratio [OR] = 2.5, P <.01). Basal ganglia infarctions were associated with an increased prevalence of visual field deficits (OR = 1.8, P <.001), and cerebellar white matter infarction-like lesions with an increased prevalence of a history of coma (OR = 4.0, P < .01). For those with infarction-like lesions in both the cerebral cortex and brainstem, the degree of sleepiness was substantially elevated (d = 34 percentiles, P < .01). No associations with a history of migraines were detected. After exclusion of those with stroke history, all of these associations persisted. Conclusion: The estimated magnitude and statistical significance of these associations relative to those with no infarction-like lesions provides new information. Further investigation for some of the associations, such as the role of the brainstem in cognitive function and the association of basal ganglia infarction-like lesions with visual field deficits, would be worthwhile.