Michael K. Liem1, Saskia A.J. Lesnik
Oberstein2, Maarten J. Versluis1, Marion L.C.
Maat-Schieman3, Joost Haan3, Andrew G. Webb1,
Michel D. Ferrari3, Mark A. van Buchem1, Jeroen van der
Grond1
1Radiology, Leiden University Medical
Center, Leiden, Netherlands; 2Clinical Genetics, Leiden University
Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands; 3Neurology, Leiden University
Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
In
this study we quantified focal and diffuse iron deposition in cerebral
autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and
leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), using in-vivo and ex-vivo 7 Tesla MRI.
Twenty-five CADASIL patients and 15 healthy controls were examined using high
resolution susceptibility-weighted imaging on 7 Tesla MRI. Three ex-vivo
CADASIL brain specimens were scanned with extra high resolution. Focal areas
of signal loss were found in 36% of CADASIL patients, in a pattern consistent
with microbleeds. Diffuse areas of signal loss were found in the putamen and
caudate nucleus of CADASIL patients, in a pattern consistent with increased
iron accumulation.