Peng
Zhao1, Vera Novak1, Kun Hu1, Medha Munshi1,
David Alsop2, Amir Abduljalil3, Peter Novak4
1Gerontology, Beth Israel Deaconess
Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States; 2Radiology, Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States; 3Radiology,
Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States; 4Neurolgoy,
University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
Type
2 DM is a major risk factor for both large and small vessel atherosclerosis,
stroke, and vascular dementia. Hyperglycemia is a common mechanism of
endothelial dysfunction and neuronal cell damage. Microvascular disease
manifests as white matter hyperintesities on MRI, regional atrophy and
functional decline. Inflammation further affects microcirculatory regulation
and contributes to arteriolosclerosis. We investigated the effects of
inflammation on regional perfusion and neurodegenerative changes in grey and
white matter on MRI. Inflammatory markers had different effects on regional
brain volumes. sICAM was associated with atrophy across all regions in the DM
group, with the most significant effects in the frontal and parietal regions.
In the control group, regional perfusion on both sides in the parietal lobe
is positively correlated with sICAM, and perfusion in the right occipital
lobe is positive with sVCAM. Associations between regional brain volumes and
other inflammatory markers were not prominent. Frontal and parietal regions with
high energy demands are more vulnerable to the effects of DM in the brain.