[The pathological and clinical consequences of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion]

Comprehensive studies investigating clinical, biochemical and pathomorphological consequences of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion were carried out only in recent years. Despite of different pathological processes resulting in chronic reductions of cerebral blood flow, the pathophysiological, biochemical and pathomorphological alterations and the clinical consequences are causing or modifying the pathological and clinical pictures in a similar manner. Cerebral hypoperfusion is verifiable in patients with ischaemic strokes, in diseases characterised by mild or serious cognitive impairment and in dementias of vascular or of degenerative origins, even it can be shown in normal ageing. This review gives a summary of pathophysiological, pathomorphological and clinical consequences of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, and the role of that in evolution and persistence of cognitive disturbances.