Brain microstructural alterations on quantitative synthetic MRI and correlation with cognitive dysfunction in patients with β-thalassemia major
Blood counts and brain imaging changes in thalassemia patients suggest measurable ways to track and potentially prevent cognitive complications.
This case-control neuroimaging study (n=96 β-TM, 47 controls) demonstrates significant T1 signal alterations in gray matter default mode and frontoparietal networks of thalassemia patients, with CBC parameters (MCV, MCHC, WBC, platelet count) correlating with both neuroimaging metrics and cognitive scores (MoCA/MMMSE). The findings establish a multi-modal framework linking hematologic biomarkers to brain microstructure in chronic hemolytic anemia.
What the study was
- Study design
- Case-control neuroimaging study
- Population
- β-thalassemia major patients (n=96) and healthy controls (n=47)
- Sample size
- 143
- Category
- Diagnostics
- Maturity
- Exploratory
- Journal
- Brain Research Bulletin
Why it surfaced
CBC parameters linked to brain microstructure and cognition in β-TM; niche CBC/hematology-imaging intersection; City of Hope collaboration.
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