Project description:Background and purposeSilent cerebral infarcts (SCIs) are the most common neurological complication in children and adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). In this systematic review, we provide an overview of studies that have detected SCIs in patients with SCD by cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We focus on the frequency of SCIs, the risk factors involved in their development and their clinical consequences.MethodsThe databases of Embase, MEDLINE ALL via Ovid, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Central Register of Trials via Wiley and Google Scholar were searched from inception to June 1, 2019.ResultsThe search yielded 651 results of which 69 studies met the eligibility criteria. The prevalence of SCIs in patients with SCD ranges from 5.6 to 80.6% with most studies reported in the 20 to 50% range. The pooled prevalence of SCIs in HbSS and HbSβ0 SCD patients is 29.5%. SCIs occur more often in patients with the HbSS and HbSβ0 genotype in comparison with other SCD genotypes, as SCIs are found in 9.2% of HbSC and HbSβ+ patients. Control subjects showed a mean pooled prevalence of SCIs of 9.8%. Data from included studies showed a statistically significant association between increasing mean age of the study population and mean SCI prevalence. Thirty-three studies examined the risk factors for SCIs. The majority of the risk factors show no clear association with prevalence, since more or less equal numbers of studies give evidence for and against the causal association.ConclusionsThis systematic review and meta-analysis shows SCIs are common in patients with SCD. No clear risk factors for their development were identified. Larger, prospective and controlled clinical, neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies are needed to understand how SCD and SCIs affect cognition.
Project description:BackgroundSilent cerebral infarcts are the most common neurologic injury in children with sickle cell anemia and are associated with the recurrence of an infarct (stroke or silent cerebral infarct). We tested the hypothesis that the incidence of the recurrence of an infarct would be lower among children who underwent regular blood-transfusion therapy than among those who received standard care.MethodsIn this randomized, single-blind clinical trial, we randomly assigned children with sickle cell anemia to receive regular blood transfusions (transfusion group) or standard care (observation group). Participants were between 5 and 15 years of age, with no history of stroke and with one or more silent cerebral infarcts on magnetic resonance imaging and a neurologic examination showing no abnormalities corresponding to these lesions. The primary end point was the recurrence of an infarct, defined as a stroke or a new or enlarged silent cerebral infarct.ResultsA total of 196 children (mean age, 10 years) were randomly assigned to the observation or transfusion group and were followed for a median of 3 years. In the transfusion group, 6 of 99 children (6%) had an end-point event (1 had a stroke, and 5 had new or enlarged silent cerebral infarcts). In the observation group, 14 of 97 children (14%) had an end-point event (7 had strokes, and 7 had new or enlarged silent cerebral infarcts). The incidence of the primary end point in the transfusion and observation groups was 2.0 and 4.8 events, respectively, per 100 years at risk, corresponding to an incidence rate ratio of 0.41 (95% confidence interval, 0.12 to 0.99; P=0.04).ConclusionsRegular blood-transfusion therapy significantly reduced the incidence of the recurrence of cerebral infarct in children with sickle cell anemia. (Funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and others; Silent Cerebral Infarct Multi-Center Clinical Trial ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00072761, and Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN52713285.).
Project description:Silent cerebral infarction (SCI) is the most commonly reported radiological abnormality in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) and is associated with future clinical stroke risk. To date, there have been few histological and quantitative MRI studies of SCI and multiple radiological definitions exist. As a result, the tissue characteristics and composition of SCI remain elusive. The objective of this work was therefore to investigate the composition of segmented SCI lesions using quantitative MRI for R 2* and quantitative magnetic susceptibility mapping (QSM). 211 SCI lesions were segmented from 32 participants with SCA and 6 controls. SCI were segmented according to two definitions (FLAIR+/-T1w-based threshold) using a semi-automated pipeline. Magnetic susceptibility (χ) and R 2* maps were calculated from a multi-echo gradient echo sequence and mean SCI values were compared to an equivalent region of interest in normal appearing white matter (NAWM). SCI χ and R 2* were investigated as a function of SCI definition, patient demographics, anatomical location, and cognition. Compared to NAWM, SCI were significantly less diamagnetic (χ = -0.0067 ppm vs. -0.0153 ppm, p < 0.001) and had significantly lower R 2* (16.7 s-1 vs. 19.2 s-1, p < 0.001). SCI definition had a significant effect on the mean SCI χ and R 2* , with lesions becoming significantly less diamagnetic and having significantly lower R 2* after the application of a more stringent T1w-based threshold. SCI-NAWM R 2* decrease was significantly greater in patients with SCA compared with controls (-2.84 s-1 vs. -0.64 s-1, p < 0.0001). No significant association was observed between mean SCI-NAWM χ or R2* differences and subject age, lesion anatomical location, or cognition. The increased χ and decreased R 2* in SCI relative to NAWM observed in both patients and controls is indicative of lower myelin or increased water content within the segmented lesions. The significant SCI-NAWM R 2* differences observed between SCI in patients with SCA and controls suggests there may be differences in tissue composition relative to NAWM in SCI in the two populations. Quantitative MRI techniques such as QSM and R 2* mapping can be used to enhance our understanding of the pathophysiology and composition of SCI in patients with SCA as well as controls.
Project description:Silent cerebral infarcts (SCIs) are associated with cognitive impairment in sickle cell anemia (SCA). SCI risk factors include low hemoglobin and elevated systolic blood pressure; however, mechanisms underlying their development are unclear. Using the largest prospective study evaluating SCIs in pediatric SCA, we identified brain regions with increased SCI density. We tested the hypothesis that infarct density is greatest within regions in which cerebral blood flow is lowest, further restricting cerebral oxygen delivery in the setting of chronic anemia. Neuroradiology and neurology committees reached a consensus of SCIs in 286 children in the Silent Infarct Transfusion (SIT) Trial. Each infarct was outlined and coregistered to a brain atlas to create an infarct density map. To evaluate cerebral blood flow as a function of infarct density, pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling was performed in an independent pediatric SCA cohort. Blood flow maps were aligned to the SIT Trial infarct density map. Mean blood flow within low, moderate, and high infarct density regions from the SIT Trial were compared. Logistic regression evaluated clinical and imaging predictors of overt stroke at 3-year follow-up. The SIT Trial infarct density map revealed increased SCI density in the deep white matter of the frontal and parietal lobes. A relatively small region, measuring 5.6% of brain volume, encompassed SCIs from 90% of children. Cerebral blood flow was lowest in the region of highest infarct density (P < .001). Baseline infarct volume and reticulocyte count predicted overt stroke. In pediatric SCA, SCIs are symmetrically located in the deep white matter where minimum cerebral blood flow occurs.
Project description:Silent cerebral infarct (SCI) is the most common form of neurologic disease in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA). SCI is defined as abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain in the setting of a normal neurologic examination without a history or physical findings associated with an overt stroke. SCI occurs in 27% of this population before their sixth, and 37% by their 14th birthdays. In adults with SCA, the clinical history of SCI is poorly defined, although recent evidence suggests that they too may have ongoing risk of progressive injury. Risk factors for SCI include male sex, lower baseline hemoglobin concentration, higher baseline systolic blood pressure, and previous seizures. Specific morbidity associated with SCI includes a decrement in general intellectual abilities, poor academic achievement, progression to overt stroke, and progressive SCI. In addition, children with previous stroke continue to have both overt strokes and new SCI despite receiving regular blood transfusion therapy for secondary stroke prevention. Studies that only include overt stroke as a measure of CNS injury significantly underestimate the total cerebral injury burden in this population. In this review, we describe the epidemiology, natural history, morbidity, medical management, and potential therapeutic options for SCI in SCA.
Project description:This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To assess the effectiveness of any intervention in preventing or reducing kidney complications or CKD in people with SCD (including red blood cell transfusions, hydroxyurea and ACEI (either alone or in combination with each other)).
Project description:Stroke is a dramatic complication of sickle cell disease (SCD), which is associated with cerebral vasculopathies including moya moya, intravascular thrombi, cerebral hyperemia, and increased vessel tortuosity. The spontaneous occurrence of these pathologies in the sickle cell mouse model has not been described. Here, we studied Townes humanized sickle cell and age-matched control mice that were 13 months old. We used in vivo two-photon microscopy to assess blood flow dynamics, vascular topology, and evidence of cerebral vasculopathy. Results showed that compared to controls, sickle cell mice had significantly higher red blood cell (RBC) velocity (0.73 mm/s vs. 0.55 mm/s, p = 0.013), capillary vessel diameter (4.84 µM vs. 4.50 µM, p = 0.014), and RBC volume flux (0.015 nL/s vs. 0.010 nL/s, p = 0.021). Also, sickle cell mice had significantly more tortuous capillary vessels ( p < 0.0001) and significantly shorter capillary vessel branches ( p = 0.0065) compared to controls. Sickle cell mice also had significantly higher number of capillary occlusive events (3.4% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.0001) and RBC stalls (3.8% vs. 2.1%, p < 0.0001) in the cerebral capillary bed. In post-mortem immunohistochemical analyses, sickle cell mice had a 2.5-fold higher frequency of cortical microinfarcts compared to control mice. Our results suggest that aged Townes sickle cell mice spontaneously develop SCD-associated cerebral vasculopathy.
Project description:The most common form of neurologic injury in sickle cell anemia (SCA) is silent cerebral infarction (SCI). In the Silent Cerebral Infarct Multi-Center Clinical Trial, we sought to identify risk factors associated with SCI. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the clinical history and baseline laboratory values and performed magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in participants with SCA (HbSS or HbSβ° thalassemia) between the ages of 5 and 15 years with no history of overt stroke or seizures. Neuroradiology and neurology committees adjudicated the presence of SCI. SCIs were diagnosed in 30.8% (251 of 814) participants who completed all evaluations and had valid data on all prespecified demographic and clinical covariates. The mean age of the participants was 9.1 years, with 413 males (50.7%). In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, lower baseline hemoglobin concentration (P < .001), higher baseline systolic blood pressure (P = .018), and male sex (P = .030) were statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of an SCI. Hemoglobin concentration and systolic blood pressure are risk factors for SCI in children with SCA and may be therapeutic targets for decreasing the risk of SCI. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00072761.