Meeting Banner
Abstract #4357

7T MRI Demonstrates Diffuse Iron Deposition in the Putamen and Caudate Nucleus in CADASIL

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.