Clinical, Neuroimaging, and Genetic Markers in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy-Related Inflammation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data regarding the prevalence of distinct clinical, neuroimaging and genetic markers among patients diagnosed with cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-ri). We sought to determine the prevalence of clinical, radiological, genetic and cerebrospinal fluid biomarker findings in patients with CAA-ri.

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies including patients with CAA-ri was conducted to determine the prevalence of clinical, neuroimaging, genetic and cerebrospinal fluid biomarker findings. Subgroup analyses were performed based on (1) prospective or retrospective study design and (2) CAA-ri diagnosis with or without available biopsy. We pooled the prevalence rates using random-effects models and assessed the heterogeneity using Cochran-Q and I2 -statistics.

RESULTS: We identified 4 prospective and 17 retrospective cohort studies comprising 378 patients with CAA-ri (mean age, 71.5 years; women, 52%). The pooled prevalence rates were as follows: cognitive decline at presentation 70% ([95% CI, 54%-84%]; I2 =82%), focal neurological deficits 55% ([95% CI, 40%-70%]; I2 =82%), encephalopathy 54% ([95% CI, 39%-68%]; I2 =43%), seizures 37% ([95% CI, 27%-49%]; I2 =65%), headache 31% ([95% CI, 22%-42%]; I2 =58%), T2/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery-hyperintense white matter lesions 98% ([95% CI, 93%-100%]; I2 =44%), lobar cerebral microbleeds 96% ([95% CI, 92%-99%]; I2 =25%), gadolinium enhancing lesions 54% ([95% CI, 42%-66%]; I2 =62%), cortical superficial siderosis 51% ([95% CI, 34%-68%]; I2 =77%) and lobar macrohemorrhage 40% ([95% CI, 11%-73%]; I2 =88%). The prevalence rate of the ApoE (Apolipoprotein E) ε4/ε4 genotype was 34% ([95% CI, 17%-53%]; I2 =76%). Subgroup analyses demonstrated no differences in these prevalence rates based on study design and diagnostic strategy.

CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive decline was the most common clinical feature. Hyperintense T2/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery white matter lesions and lobar cerebral microbleeds were by far the most prevalent neuroimaging findings. Thirty-four percent of patients with CAA-ri have homozygous ApoE ε4/ε4 genotype and scarce data exist regarding the cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and its significance in these patients.