Association of serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels and cerebral microbleeds in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Background and purpose The association between the presence of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) was investigated. Methods Consecutive AD patients who underwent magnetic resonance examination with susceptibility‐weighted imaging (SWI) were prospectively examined. The presence of CMBs on SWI was independently interpreted. The number and location of microbleeds were assessed. Demographics including age, sex and risk factors were obtained. Serum VEGF levels were measured with an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results Of the 146 AD patients included, 47 (32.2%) patients had CMBs on SWI. The CMBs were most commonly located in strictly lobar locations (29/47, 61.7%). The mean VEGF levels were higher in the patients with CMBs than in those without (336.72 ± 15.18 vs. 192.37 ± 11.34 pg/ml). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that, for each 10 pg/ml increase of VEGF levels, there was a significant increase in the presence of CMBs after adjusting for age and sex, and after additional adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, silent lacunar infarction and white matter hyperintensity in patients with AD (odds ratio 2.37; 95% confidence interval 1.53−4.02, P = 0.004). Conclusion Serum VEGF levels are associated with the presence of CMBs in patients with AD.