Wolfgang Miesbach։ Hidden Brain Damage and Progressive Cognitive Decline in iTTP Survivors
Wolfgang Miesbach, Professor of Medicine at Frankfurt University Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn, about a recent article by Fahad Hannan et al, published in Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis:
”Hidden Brain Damage: Advanced Neuroimaging Reveals Progressive Cognitive Decline in iTTP Survivors—Even After Remission.
This Canadian multicenter prospective study (2016-2024) tracked 22 immune-mediated TTP survivors over 12 months using a dual-imaging approach rarely applied in thrombotic microangiopathy research:
Advanced MRI Techniques
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with 64-directional tractography to map white matter integrity across 8 cognitive pathways—assessing fractional anisotropy, radial diffusivity, and microstructural damage
CT-Perfusion Imaging
150-second protocol on 256-slice scanners quantifying cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume, and blood-brain barrier permeability through permeability-surface product measurements
Validated Cognitive Testing
Creyos/Cambridge Brain Sciences battery across memory, reasoning, verbal ability, and concentration domains
What They Found:
Despite achieving clinical remission, all patients (100%) exhibited compromised blood-brain barrier integrity at both timepoints. 82% showed structural brain abnormalities at baseline, with progressive deterioration:
- Significant gray and white matter volume loss continued throughout follow-up
- White matter tract damage worsened in pathways critical for memory and verbal processing
- Cognitive impairment persisted significantly below control levels—memory (-0.94 vs -0.25) and verbal domains (-1.05 vs -0.28)
- BBB permeability improved slightly (p=0.04) but remained substantially compromised
The Clinical Challenge:
Brain injury in iTTP extends far beyond the acute phase. Persistent vascular dysfunction drives ongoing neurological decline independent of clinical recovery—yet current care protocols rarely include long-term neurological monitoring.
This research advocates strongly for:
- Standardized longitudinal brain health assessments in iTTP survivors
- Early neuroprotective intervention strategies
- Aggressive relapse prevention
- Reconsideration of treatment accessibility (rituximab, novel agents)
Congratulations to Shih-Han Susan Huang and co authors Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (JTH).”
Title: Endothelial Injury to Cognitive Decline: A 12-month Follow-up Using CT-Perfusion and Diffusion MRI in Immune-mediated Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Authors: Fahad Hannana, Jonathan D. Thiessen, Christopher J. Patriquin, Katerina Pavenski, Leandro Tristao, Ting-Yim Lee, Daniel Mendes, Stefan Poirier, Jean Théberge, Jennifer Mandzia, Melissa Al-Jaishi, Kerri Gallo, Shih-Han Susan Huang
Read the Full Article on Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis․
Find more posts featuring Wolfgang Miesbach on Hemostasis Today.
-
Nov 13, 2026, 16:17Shailendra Singh: Bombay Hospital Jaipur Inaugurates New Facility with Voluntary Blood Donation Camp
-
Nov 13, 2026, 16:10Minka Zivkovic: UMC Utrecht Announces Research Analyst Vacancy in Thrombosis and Haemostasis
-
Nov 13, 2026, 16:02Rounak Dubey: Elsevier’s Upcoming Handbook Explores Digitalization in Transfusion Medicine
-
Nov 13, 2026, 15:50Maha Othman: CanVECTOR 2026 Highlights Research on Immunothrombosis and Cancer-Associated Thrombosis
-
Nov 13, 2026, 15:48Cedric Hermans: Advances in Gene Therapy for Haemophilia A
-
Nov 13, 2026, 15:45Strengthens Global Collaboration in Thrombosis and Hemostasis for 2027 – ISTH
-
Nov 13, 2026, 15:42David McIntosh: The Global Blood Shortage Crisis and the Urgent Need for National Action
-
Nov 13, 2026, 15:41JTH Highlights Future Directions in Thromboprophylaxis for Hospitalized Children
-
Nov 13, 2026, 15:21Wolfgang Miesbach։ Gene Therapy for Haemophilia B Is Cheaper Than Lifelong Factor IX Prophylaxis in Sweden