In this cross-sectional, observational study, we investigated the association between antiplatelet therapy and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in community-based participants without stroke. The presence, count, and location of CMBs were evaluated by susceptibility weighted imaging. Antiplatelet therapy included aspirin use alone, clopidogrel use alone, cilostazol use alone, and dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel. We found that antiplatelet therapy was independently associated with CMBs at any location, particularly lobar CMBs, and aspirin use was a risk factor for any CMB and lobar CMBs. Our study suggests that optimizing antiplatelet treatment strategies in stroke-free population may decrease the risk of CMBs.
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