The assessment of cerebral microbleeds should be included in the evaluation of patients with vascular cognitive dysfunction

Cerebral microbleeds (CMB) are focal haemosiderin deposits that result from minimal blood leakage from damaged small vessels, and they can be regarded as markers of pathological vascular changes. In addition to their association with small vessel disease, CMB have also been pathologically linked to cerebral amyloid angiopathy.1 The prevalence of CMB in the general population increases from 20% in subjects aged 60–69 years to 40% in subjects aged 80 years and older.2 Clinically, CMB have been associated with cerebrovascular disease and some of its risk factors, including lacunar infarcts, intracerebral haemorrhage, white matter changes and hypertension. CMB have also been reported to be increased in Binswanger disease, mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD).1 ,2 The location and distribution of CMB …