Title:Cerebral Microinfarcts and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis
Volume: 14
Issue: 7
Author(s): Lei Cao, Lan Tan*, Hui-Fu Wang, Teng Jiang, Xi-Chen Zhu and Jin-Tai Yu*
Affiliation:
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, No.5 Donghai Middle Road, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266071,China
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qindgao,China
Keywords:
Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, dementia, microinfarcts, neuroimaging.
Abstract: Objective: To systematically review the relationship between the cerebral microinfarcts and
dementia.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses using the MEDLINE, EMBASE，the
Cochrane library, and BIOSIS preview for studies published in the period from January 1st, 1997 to
April 1st, 2014. We also searched the reference lists of relevant studies and review articles. Studies had
to be controlled, with participants divided into a dementia group and a control group. Experimental participants
included must be demented individuals with dementia syndromes (dementia overall, AD, and
vascular dementia (VaD)). Outcome measures should include the presence of microinfarcts lesions. The
effect size was estimated as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was
assessed using Cochran’s Q-test and I2-statistic.
Results: We pooled data from 12 studies, including 2181 people. Cerebral microinfarcts were significantly
associated with dementia in random effects model [the odds ratios (OR) 2.15, 95% confidence
interval (95% CI) 1.46-3.15, P=0.0008]. There was no evidence of an association between the microinfarcts
and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in random effects model (OR 2.81, 95% CI 0.94-8.42, P=0.06).
Conclusion: These results suggest that cerebral microinfarcts are significantly associated with dementia.
Whether cerebral microinfarcts are associated with AD needs to be further investigated.
