BACKGROUND

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are more prevalent in Asian populations, and have been associated with increased risk of stroke, dementia and mortality. So far, risk factors for CMBs other than hypertension were merely known. Previous studies have shown that polymorphisms at aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (2) gene were independently associated with the risk of stroke. Its role in CMBs, however, remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of 2 gene polymorphisms with CMBs in Chinese elderly.

METHODS

Using bio-specimen and data collected at baseline survey of the population-based Taizhou Imaging Study (TIS) (phase I), we genotyped the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at 2 among 549 individuals aged 55-65 years, and rs671 was used as surrogate marker of 2. CMBs were detected on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and further categorized as strictly lobar or as deep/mixed. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations of the variants at 2 and CMBs.

RESULTS

CMBs were present in 103 individuals (18.8%). Forty-one point three percent participants were with 2 *2 allele and 5.1% had 2 *2/*2 genotype. Subjects with 2 *1 allele were more likely to be drinker, have hypertension or CMBs than those with *2 allele (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression model showed that the 2 *1/*1 genotype was independently associated with CMBs (P=0.013), particularly for deep/mixed CMBs (P=0.008), and the association was more pronounced in men, non-drinkers or hypertension patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that Han Chinese with 2 *1/*1 genotype may be more susceptible to CMBs than those with 2 *2 allele.