The Relationship between the Degree of Hyperintensity on MRI T2 Image and Clinical Correlates in Normal Subjects

Kim, Do Hoon; Moon, Yoo Sun

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The brain imaging techniques have developed to detect silent brain lesion in healthy elderly, including white matter changes. These silent brain lesions implicate the possibility of brain cerebrovasculopathy, which are also suggestive of having risk factors for geriatric depression, decrease in cognitive function, cerebral infarction and vascular dementia. This study investigated prevalence and clinical characteristics of patients with hyperintesities on MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) T2 image in normal healthy adults. METHOD: Eighty-nine adults above age of 20 were studies who took health examinations including brain MRI. Hyperintensities on brain MRI were categorized by a neuroradiologist according to Fazekas classification. All subjects filled out Zung's depression scale (SDS) and Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument (BEPSI). Past histories of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, antihypertensive drug medication history, smoking, alcohol drinking, and height, body weight, BMI (body mass index), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, serum lipids (cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C) were evaluated in all subjects. The subjects were divided into three group according to the evaluation scores of hyperintensities on MRI (control group with 0 score, hyperintensity 1 group with evaluation score of 1, hyperintesity 2 group with evaluation score of 2 or 3). ANOVA (Post Hoc test;Scheffe) or chi2 tests were carried out in three groups with the significance level of 0.05.
RESULTS
Hyperintensities on MRI T2 image were found in relatively old age groups, and systolic blood pressures were higher in these groups. Serum cholesterol and triglycerides were higher in hyperintensity 1 and 2 group than normal control group, but there was no statistical significance. The amount of alcohol drinking and smoking were not significantly different in three groups.
CONCLUSION
Normal healthy subjects with hyperintensities on MRI T2 image in normal healthy people would need to be treated if they have concurrent risk factors of cerebrovascular disease such as hypertension. Normal healthy adults with hyperintensities on MRI should be followed up for long-term to investigate incidence of clinical infarct and depressive symptoms, change in cognitive function.