# Cerebral Microbleeds in the Aging Population

> **NIH NIH K76** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 2020 · $243,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are a common cerebrovascular pathology found with aging. Even though CMBs
are a proven risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhage, there is little data to guide clinicians and patients
regarding the risk of future hemorrhage with incidentally identified CMBs. This leads to clinical dilemmas for
individuals who require antithrombotic medications to prevent cerebral or cardiac ischemia but also have a
CMB predisposing them to hemorrhage. In particular, prior studies of CMBs have not been population-based or
have not included amyloid- and tau-positron emission tomography (PET). The primary objective of this grant is
to determine the clinical outcome of individuals with CMBs in a population-based setting with multimodal
neuroimaging. After determining the prevalence and incidence of CMBs, we will determine the risk of future
intracerebral hemorrhage among individuals with CMBs by harnessing outcome data from the Rochester
Epidemiology Project. The secondary objective of the grant is to determine the pathophysiologic and
pathologic basis for CMBs. We will determine which neuroimaging biomarkers (amyloid PET, tau PET, white-
matter hyperintensity, lacunar stroke) are associated with CMBs by location and predict the development of
CMBs. Lastly, we will identify individuals with CMBs, who come to autopsy, by antemortem magnetic
resonance imaging. By sampling the region of CMB, we will determine the pathologic background of CMBs.
We will capitalize on the existing population-based and prospective Mayo Clinic Study of Aging (MCSA) cohort.
The population-based nature of the MCSA sample is ideally suited for the development and generalizability of
the findings because it captures incidentally detected CMBs. One of the strengths of the proposal is to inform
clinical decision-making for the large number of elderly individuals with CMBs. This project will serve as a
career development award for the Principal Investigator. During the project, the PI will receive hands-on
experience and develop expertise in neuroimaging analysis and quantification, and neuropathology. In
addition, the PI will receive mentorship from experienced investigators in aging and CMBs, and take courses
on leadership development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9925158
- **Project number:** 5K76AG057015-04
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Jonathan Graff-Radford
- **Activity code:** K76 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $243,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-08-01 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9925158

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9925158, Cerebral Microbleeds in the Aging Population (5K76AG057015-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9925158. Licensed CC0.

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