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Atherosclerosis of cerebral arteries in Alzheimer disease

Alex E Roher1, Chera Esh, Afroza Rahman

  • 1Longtine Center for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Sun Health Research Institute, 10515 West Santa Fe Drive, Sun City, Ariz 85351, USA. alex.roher@sunhealth.org

Stroke
|September 18, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Vascular disease, including atherosclerosis, is increasingly linked to Alzheimer dementia. Identifying these vascular lesions may offer new treatment strategies for dementia.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pathology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Alzheimer dementia (AD) is a growing public health concern.
  • Emerging evidence implicates vascular factors in AD pathogenesis.
  • The precise relationship between vascular disease and AD neurodegeneration requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between atherosclerotic lesions in cerebral vasculature and Alzheimer disease (AD) clinical and neuropathological findings.
  • To test the hypothesis that AD pathology results from the combined effects of vascular and parenchymal lesions over time.

Main Methods:

  • Quantification of atherosclerotic lesions in the circle of Willis and large leptomeningeal vessels.
  • Correlation analysis between vascular lesion burden and clinical diagnosis of AD.
  • Correlation analysis between vascular lesion burden and neuropathological hallmarks of AD.

Main Results:

  • Significant correlation found between atherosclerotic lesions in specific cerebral vessels and the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer disease.
  • Atherosclerotic burden in the circle of Willis and leptomeningeal vessels correlated with established neuropathology of AD.
  • Findings support a link between cerebrovascular pathology and AD progression.

Conclusions:

  • Cerebrovascular disease, particularly atherosclerosis, plays a significant role in the development and progression of Alzheimer dementia.
  • Understanding the vascular contribution to AD opens avenues for novel therapeutic interventions.
  • Targeting vascular pathology may be a crucial strategy for preventing or delaying dementia.

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