N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and subclinical brain small vessel disease

High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T and Cognitive Function Over 12 Months After Stroke-Results of the DEMDAS Study

BACKGROUND

Subclinical myocardial injury in form of hs-cTn (high-sensitivity cardiac troponin)  levels has been associated with cognitive impairment and imaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) in population-based and cardiovascular cohorts. Whether hs-cTn is associated with domain-specific cognitive decline and SVD burden in patients with stroke remains unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analyzed patients with acute stroke without premorbid dementia from the prospective multicenter DEMDAS (DZNE [German Center for Neurodegenerative Disease]-Mechanisms of Dementia after Stroke) study. Patients underwent neuropsychological testing 6 and 12 months after the index event. Test results were classified into 5 cognitive domains (language, memory, executive function, attention, and visuospatial function). SVD markers (lacunes, cerebral microbleeds, white matter hyperintensities, and enlarged perivascular spaces) were assessed on cranial magnetic resonance imaging to constitute a global SVD score. We examined the association between hs-cTnT (hs-cTn T levels) and cognitive domains as well as the global SVD score and individual SVD markers, respectively. Measurement of cognitive and SVD-marker analyses were performed in 385 and 466 patients with available hs-cTnT levels, respectively. In analyses adjusted for demographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, and cognitive status at baseline, higher hs-cTnT was negatively associated with the cognitive domains "attention" up to 12 months of follow-up (beta-coefficient, -0.273 [95% CI, -0.436 to -0.109]) and "executive function" after 12 months. Higher hs-cTnT was associated with the global SVD score (adjusted odds ratio, 1.95 [95% CI, 1.27-3.00]) and the white matter hyperintensities and lacune subscores.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with stroke, hs-cTnT is associated with a higher burden of SVD markers and cognitive function in domains linked to vascular cognitive impairment.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01334749.

Small-vessel disease in the brain

Cerebral small-vessels are generally located in the brain at branch points from major cerebral blood vessels and perfuse subcortical structures such as the white matter tracts, basal ganglia, thalamus, and pons. Cerebral small-vessel disease (CSVD) can lead to several different clinical manifestations including ischemic lacunar stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and vascular dementia. Risk factors for CSVD overlap with conventional vascular risk factors including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia, as well as genetic causes. As in cardiovascular disease, treatment of CSVD involves both primary and secondary prevention. Aspirin has not been established as a primary prevention strategy for CSVD among the general population; however, long-term antiplatelet therapy with aspirin alone continues to be the mainstay of secondary stroke prevention for non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke and high-risk TIA.

NT-proBNP, cerebral small vessel disease and cardiac function in patients with a recent lacunar infarct

NT-proBNP is produced from both atria and ventricles and it is increased in patients with cardiac disease. NT-proBNP is also associated with cerebral small vessel disease(cSVD) but there are no studies that had carried out a systematic evaluation of cardiac function in this specific setting. We conducted a prospective observational study in 100 patients within 30 days after a recent lacunar infarct by means of brain MRI, 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, transthoracic echocardiography, and plasmatic NT-proBNP. Global cSVD burden was quantified using a validated visual score (0 to 4) and dichotomized into 2 groups (0-2 or 3-4). Age (73.8 vs 63.5 years) and NT-proBNP (156 vs 76 pg/ml) were increased in patients with SVD 3-4, while daytime augmentation index normalized for the heart rate of 75 bpm (AIx75) (22.5 vs 25.6%) was decreased. The proportion of patients with left atrial enlargement, left ventricular hypertrophy, or septal e' velocity <7 cm/s was not different between both groups. NT-proBNP was increased in patients with left atrial enlargement (126 vs 88 pg/ml). In multivariate analysis, age (OR 1.129 CI 95% 1.054-1.209), daytime AIx75 (OR 0.91 CI 95% 0.84-0.987,) and NT-proBNP (OR 1.007 CI 95% 1.001-1.012,) were independently associated with cSVD score 3-4. In conclusion, as well as in other patients with cSVD we found an association between NT-proBNP and cSVD. This association was independent of cardiac function.

Biomarkers involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral small-vessel disease

Cerebral small-vessel disease (CSVD) has been found to have a strong association with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) and functional loss in elderly patients. At present, the diagnosis of CSVD mainly relies on brain neuroimaging markers, but they cannot fully reflect the overall picture of the disease. Currently, some biomarkers were found to be related to CSVD, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to systematically review and summarize studies on the progress of biomarkers related to the pathogenesis of CSVD, which is mainly the relationship between these indicators and neuroimaging markers of CSVD. Concerning the pathophysiological mechanism of CSVD, the biomarkers of CSVD have been described as several categories related to sporadic and genetic factors. Monitoring of biomarkers might contribute to the early diagnosis and progression prediction of CSVD, thus providing ideas for better diagnosis and treatment of CSVD.

Serum Cortisol Is Associated With Cerebral Small Vessel Disease-Related Brain Changes and Cognitive Impairment

Objective

To evaluate the relationship between serum cortisol, cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) neuroimaging markers, and cognitive performance.

Methods

We recruited patients over 50 years old who attended our hospital for physical examination between November 2020 and July 2021. All participants were subject to brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), serum cortisol examination, and the Montreal cognitive function assessment (MoCA). On brain MRI, we scored the presence of each marker of CSVD, including white matter hyperintensity (WMH), lacunes, cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS). One point was awarded for the presence of each marker, producing a score between 0 and 4.

Results

In total, 158 participants were included in this study with a mean age of 60.5 (56.0–66.3) years; 55.1% were male. In the multivariable analyses, serum cortisol level was an independent predictor of WMH severity, the presence of lacunes/CMBs, moderate-severe EPVS and total CSVD burden after adjusting for confounding factors. Serum cortisol level had positive associations with periventricular/deep Fazekas score, burdens of lacunes/CMBs, moderate-severe EPVS, and total CSVD burden in dose-dependent manner, and was an independent predictor of cognitive impairment. Furthermore, the results of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed an area under curve (AUC) of 0.745 with 64.1% sensitivity and 82.5% specificity, and an AUC of 0.705 with 52.1% sensitivity and 85.5 specificity of cortisol in detecting patients with high CSVD burden and MCI, respectively.

Conclusions

Serum cortisol level is independently associated with each CSVD MRI markers, total CSVD burden and cognitive impairment. These findings provide clues for pathological mechanisms and suggest serum cortisol as a promising biomarker associated with CSVD.

Early NT-ProBNP (N-Terminal Probrain Natriuretic Peptide) Elevation Predicts Malignant Edema and Death After Reperfusion Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We aimed to investigate the relationship between early NT-proBNP (N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide) and all-cause death in patients receiving reperfusion therapy, including intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy (EVT).

METHODS

This study included 1039 acute ischemic stroke patients with early NT-proBNP data at 2 hours after the beginning of alteplase infusion for those with intravenous thrombolysis only or immediately at the end of EVT for those with EVT. We performed natural log transformation for NT-proBNP (Ln(NT-proBNP)). Malignant brain edema was ascertained by using the SITS-MOST (Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-Monitoring Study) criteria.

RESULTS

Median serum NT-proBNP level was 349 pg/mL (interquartile range, 89-1250 pg/mL). One hundred twenty-one (11.6%) patients died. Malignant edema was observed in 78 (7.5%) patients. Ln(NT-proBNP) was independently associated with 3-month mortality in patients with intravenous thrombolysis only (odds ratio, 1.465 [95% CI, 1.169-1.836]; P=0.001) and in those receiving EVT (odds ratio, 1.563 [95% CI, 1.139-2.145]; P=0.006). The elevation of Ln(NT-proBNP) was also independently associated with malignant edema in patients with intravenous thrombolysis only (odds ratio, 1.334 [95% CI, 1.020-1.745]; P=0.036), and in those with EVT (odds ratio, 1.455 [95% CI, 1.057-2.003]; P=0.022).

CONCLUSIONS

An early increase in NT-proBNP levels was related to malignant edema and stroke mortality after reperfusion therapy.

Is microvascular dysfunction a systemic disorder with common biomarkers found in the heart, brain, and kidneys? - A scoping review

Although microvascular dysfunction (MVD) has been well characterized in individual organs as different disease entities, clinical evidence is mounting in support of an underlying systemic process. To address this hypothesis, we systematically searched PubMed and Medline for studies in adults published between 2014 and 2019 that measured blood biomarkers of MVD in three vital organs i.e. brain, heart, and the kidney. Of the 9706 unique articles 321 met the criteria, reporting 49 biomarkers of which 16 were common to the three organs. Endothelial dysfunction, inflammation including reactive oxidation, immune activation, and coagulation were the commonly recognized pathways. Triglyceride, C-reactive protein, Cystatin C, homocysteine, uric acid, IL-6, NT-proBNP, thrombomodulin, von Willebrand Factor, and uric acid were increased in MVD of all three organs. In contrast, vitamin D was decreased. Adiponectin, asymmetric dimethylarginine, total cholesterol, high-density and low-density cholesterol were found to be variably increased or decreased in studies. We review the pathways underlying MVD in the three organs and summarize evidence supporting its systemic nature. This scoping review informs clinicians and researchers in the multi-system manifestation of MVD. Future work should focus on longitudinal investigations to evaluate the multi-system involvement of this disease.

N-Terminal Pro Brain, N-Terminal Pro Atrial Natriuretic Peptides, and Dynamic Cerebral Autoregulation

Background

Elevated natriuretic peptides (NP) are associated with adverse cerebrovascular conditions including stroke, cerebral small vessel disease, and dementia. However, the mechanisms underlying these associations remain unclear. In this study, we examined the relationship of NT‐proBNP (N‐terminal pro brain NP) and NT‐proANP (N‐terminal pro atrial NP) with cerebrovascular function, measured by cerebral autoregulation.

Methods and Results

We included 154 participants (mean age 56±4 years old) from the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) cohort. NT‐proBNP and NT‐proANP were measured in blood samples from the year 25 examination using electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay and enzyme‐linked immunoassay, respectively. Dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) was assessed at the year 30 examination by transcranial Doppler ultrasound, using transfer function analysis (phase and gain) of spontaneous blood pressure and flow velocity oscillations, where lower phase and higher gain reflect less efficient cerebral autoregulation. We used multivariable linear regression models adjusted for demographics, vascular risk factors, and history of kidney and cardiac diseases. Higher NT‐proBNP levels at year 25 were associated with lower phase (β [95% CI]=−5.30 lower degrees of phase [−10.05 to −0.54]) and higher gain (β [95% CI]=0.06 higher cm/s per mm Hg of gain [0.004–0.12]) at year 30. Similarly, higher NT‐proANP levels were associated with lower phase (β [95% CI]=−9.08 lower degrees of phase [−16.46 to −1.70]).

Conclusions

Higher circulating levels of NT‐proBNP and NT‐proANP are associated with less efficient dCA 5 years later. These findings link circulating NP to cerebral autoregulation and may be one mechanism tying NP to adverse cerebrovascular outcomes.

Natriuretic Peptides, Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: An Intriguing Pathogenic Link with Implications in Hypertension

The natriuretic peptides (NPs) belong to a family of cardiac hormones that exert relevant protective functions within the cardiovascular system. An increase of both brain and atrial natriuretic peptide levels, particularly of the amino-terminal peptides (NT-proBNP and NT-proANP), represents a marker of cardiovascular damage. A link between increased NP levels and cognitive decline and dementia has been reported in several human studies performed both in general populations and in cohorts of patients affected by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In particular, it was reported that the elevation of NP levels in dementia can be both dependent and independent from CVD risk factors. In the first case, it may be expected that, by counteracting early on the cardiovascular risk factor load and the pathological processes leading to increased aminoterminal natriuretic peptide (NT-proNP) level, the risk of dementia could be significantly reduced. In case of a link independent from CVD risk factors, an increased NP level should be considered as a direct marker of neuronal damage. In the context of hypertension, elevated NT-proBNP and mid-regional (MR)-proANP levels behave as markers of brain microcirculatory damage and dysfunction. The available evidence suggests that they could help in identifying those subjects who would benefit most from a timely antihypertensive therapy.

Left ventricular ejection fraction is associated with small vessel disease in ischaemic stroke patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The purpose was to evaluate the association between the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) in ischaemic stroke patients.

METHODS

Consecutive first-ever ischaemic stroke patients between 2010 and 2013 were included. White matter hyperintensity (WMH) volumes were rated using both the Fazekas score and quantitative methods on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. As spectra of cSVD, lacunes, cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVSs) were also evaluated. To assess the dose-response relationship between LVEF and cSVD, the burdens of each radiological marker and the total cSVD score were rated.

RESULTS

A total of 841 patients were included [median WMH volume 2.98 (1.22-10.50) ml; the frequencies of lacunes, CMBs and moderate to severe EPVSs were 38%, 31% and 35%, respectively]. In the multivariate analysis about predictors of WMH volumes, the LVEF (B = -0.052, P < 0.001) remained significant after adjusting for confounders. LVEF was also a predictor of lacunes [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.978, P = 0.012], CMBs (aOR = 0.96, P < 0.001) and moderate to severe EPVSs (aOR = 0.94, P < 0.001) after adjusting for their confounders. The LVEF values were negatively correlated with the burdens of lacunes (P = 0.026), CMBs (P < 0.001) and EPVSs (P = 0.002). The total cSVD score also showed a negative association with LVEF in a dose-response manner (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The burden of cSVD is negatively correlated with the LVEF in a dose-response manner. Our results suggest clues for further studies about determining the pathophysiology of cSVD.

Serum homocysteine level is related to cerebral small vessel disease in a healthy population

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between serum total homocysteine (tHcy) levels and cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) in a healthy population.

METHODS

We included consecutive participants who visited our department for health checkups between 2006 and 2013. We rated white matter hyperintensity volumes using both the Fazekas score and semiautomated quantitative methods. We also evaluated lacunes, cerebral microbleeds, and enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS), which are involved in cSVD. To assess the dose-dependent relationship between tHcy and cSVD parameters, we scored the burdens of each radiologic marker of cSVD.

RESULTS

A total of 1,578 participants were included (age 55 ± 8 years, male sex 57%). In the multivariable analysis, tHcy remained an independent predictor of the white matter hyperintensity volume (B = 0.209; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.033-0.385, p = 0.020), presence of cerebral microbleeds (adjusted odds ratio = 2.800; 95% CI = 1.104-7.105, p = 0.030), and moderate to severe EPVS (adjusted odds ratio = 5.906; 95% CI = 3.523-9.901, p < 0.001) after adjusting for confounders. Furthermore, tHcy had positive associations with periventricular Fazekas score (p = 0.001, p for trend <0.001), subcortical Fazekas score (p = 0.003, p for trend = 0.005), and moderate to severe EPVS lesion burden (p < 0.001, p for trend <0.001) in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum tHcy level is correlated with cSVD development in a dose-dependent manner. These findings provide us with clues for further studies of the pathophysiology of cSVD.

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide is a biomarker for screening ischemic cerebral small vessel disease in patients with hypertension

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a diagnostic marker of cardiovascular diseases, has been previously linked to cerebrovascular diseases. Our goal was to determine whether plasma BNP level is helpful for identifying high-risk individuals who are likely to present with the 3 main subtypes of cerebral small vessel diseases (CSVDs), namely, white matter lesions, lacunar infarcts, and cerebral microbleeds, on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with hypertension.Three hundred forty-six consecutive hypertensive patients presenting at our cardiology or neurology clinic were investigated. Plasma BNP level was measured by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. The presence of CSVD was assessed by 1.5-T brain MRI. Multivariate linear regression was used to determine whether individual or combined MRI-defined CSVD subtypes were associated with BNP level, after adjustment for several covariates.The mean age of patients was 69.1 ± 9.8 years, and 44.2% were female. The highest quartile BNP group was positively associated with advanced age, female sex, clinically manifesting cardiac diseases, and ischemic CSVD (white matter lesions and lacunar infarcts) and no association with cerebral microbleeds. According to multivariate linear regression, white matter lesions [β = 0.722; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.624-0.819] and lacunar infarcts (β = 0.635; 95% CI, 0.508-0.762) were independently associated with BNP level, even after controlling for vascular risk factors and clinically manifesting cardiac diseases. Combined white matter lesions and lacunar infarcts were more strongly associated with BNP level than each subtype alone. With the cutoff value of 106.4 pg/mL, BNP level had a sensitivity, a specificity, and an area under the curve of 95.2%, 64.9%, and 0.799, respectively, for white matter lesions, whereas the values were 143.0 pg/mL, 81.6%, 73.5%, and 0.848, respectively, for lacunar infarcts.Plasma BNP level, which is independently correlated with individual or combined white matter lesions and lacunar infarcts, is a useful molecular marker for identifying ischemic CSVD in patients with hypertension.

Serum Neurofilament Light Chain Levels Are Related to Small Vessel Disease Burden

Background and Purpose

Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a blood marker for neuroaxonal damage. We assessed the association between serum NfL and cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), which is highly prevalent in elderly individuals and a major cause of stroke and vascular cognitive impairment.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional design, we studied 53 and 439 patients with genetically defined SVD (Cerebral Autosomal-Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy [CADASIL]) and sporadic SVD, respectively, as well as 93 healthy controls. Serum NfL was measured by an ultrasensitive single-molecule array assay. We quantified magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers of SVD, i.e., white matter hyperintensity volume, lacune volume, brain volume, microbleed count, and mean diffusivity obtained from diffusion tensor imaging. Clinical characterization included neuropsychological testing in both SVD samples. CADASIL patients were further characterized for focal neurological deficits (National Institutes of Health stroke scale [NIHSS]) and disability (modified Rankin scale [mRS]).

Results

Serum NfL levels were elevated in both SVD samples (P<1e-05 compared with controls) and associated with all SVD MRI markers. The strongest association was found for mean diffusivity (CADASIL, R²=0.52, P=1.2e-09; sporadic SVD, R²=0.21, P<1e-15). Serum NfL levels were independently related to processing speed performance (CADASIL, R²=0.27, P=7.6e-05; sporadic SVD, R²=0.06, P=4.8e-08), focal neurological symptoms (CADASIL, NIHSS, P=4.2e-05) and disability (CADASIL, mRS, P=3.0e-06).

Conclusions

We found serum NfL levels to be associated with both imaging and clinical features of SVD. Serum NfL might complement MRI markers in assessing SVD burden. Importantly, SVD needs to be considered when interpreting serum NfL levels in the context of other age-related diseases.

N-Terminal pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Associations With Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Features in Middle Age: The CARDIA Brain MRI Study

Objective

As part of research on the heart–brain axis, we investigated the association of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with brain structure and function in a community-based cohort of middle-aged adults from the Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging sub-study of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study.

Approach and results

In a cohort of 634 community-dwelling adults with a mean (range) age of 50.4 (46–52) years, we examined the cross-sectional association of NT-proBNP to total, gray (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes, abnormal WM load and WM integrity, and to cognitive function tests [the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), the Stroop test, and the Rey Auditory–Verbal Learning Test]. These associations were examined using linear regression models adjusted for demographic and cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac output. Higher NT-proBNP concentration was significantly associated with smaller GM volume (β = −3.44; 95% CI = −5.32, −0.53; p = 0.003), even after additionally adjusting for cardiac output (β = −2.93; 95% CI = −5.32, −0.53; p = 0.017). Higher NT-proBNP levels were also associated with lower DSST scores. NT-proBNP was not related to WM volume, WM integrity, or abnormal WM load.

Conclusion

In this middle-aged cohort, subclinical levels of NT-proBNP were related to brain function and specifically to GM and not WM measures, extending similar findings in older cohorts. Further research is warranted into biomarkers of cardiac dysfunction as a target for early markers of a brain at risk.