Assessing neuronal density in peri-infarct cortex with PET: Effects of cortical topology and partial volume correction.

The peri-infarct cortex (PIC) is the site of long-term physiologic changes after ischemic stroke. Traditional methods for delineating the peri-infarct gray matter (GM) have used a volumetric Euclidean distance metric to define its extent around the infarct. This metric has limitations in the case of cortical stroke, i.

MRI plaque imaging detects carotid plaques with a high risk for future cerebrovascular events in asymptomatic patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate prospectively whether MRI plaque imaging can identify patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis who have an increased risk for future cerebral events. MRI plaque imaging allows categorization of carotid stenosis into different lesion types (I-VIII). Within these lesion types, lesion types IV-V and VI are regarded as rupture-prone plaques, whereas the other lesion types represent stable ones.

Evaluation of serum biomarkers for patients at increased risk of stroke.

Early recognition of vulnerable patients is an important issue for stroke prevention. In our study, a multiscore analysis of various biomarkers was performed to evaluate its superiority over the analysis of single factors. Study subjects (n = 110) were divided into four groups: asymptomatic patients with stable (n = 25) and unstable (n = 36) plaques and symptomatic patients with stable (n = 13) and unstable (n = 36) plaques.

Surface expression of CXCR4 on circulating CD133progenitor cells is associated with plaque instability in subjects with carotid artery stenosis.

Background: Circulating progenitor cells (PCs) are considered to contribute to the remodeling of atherosclerotic plaques. Their surface receptor CXCR4 plays an important role in the recruitment of PCs to their target. This study compares the mobilization of PCs and their functional characteristics in asymptomatic subjects with stable and with unstable carotid plaques.

Multiple biological predictors for vulnerable carotid lesions.

Background: In this study a multiscore analysis of various biomarkers including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), inflammatory factors and other clinical parameters was performed to establish a set of reliable biomarkers for improved detection of plaque instability in patients with advanced carotid stenosis.

Methods: Study patients (n = 101) were classified as histologically stable (n = 37) or unstable (n = 64). Serum levels of MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -8, -9, MMP inhibitors TIMP-1, -2, and inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1beta, -6, -8, -10, and -12 were measured by ELISA assays.