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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Potential biological markers for cerebrovascular disease
Alexander Kurz1, Matthias Riemenschneider, Anders Wallin
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany. alexander.kurz@lrz.tum.de
Biological markers like genetic tests and brain imaging aid in identifying cerebrovascular diseases, which cause cognitive impairment. These methods help differentiate conditions like vascular dementia from Alzheimer's disease.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biochemistry
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Cerebrovascular diseases lead to neuron loss, axonal damage, and demyelination, causing cognitive impairment and dementia.
- Early and accurate diagnosis of cerebrovascular diseases is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the utility of various biological markers in identifying and quantifying cerebrovascular diseases.
- To highlight the role of genetic tests, neuroimaging, and CSF biomarkers in diagnosing these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of genetic testing for hereditary conditions like cerebral amyloid angiopathies and CADASIL.
- Analysis of structural (CT, MR) and functional (SPET, PET) imaging techniques for visualizing vascular lesions.
- Evaluation of biochemical assays in CSF, including tau, phospho-tau, beta-amyloid, and proton MRS.
Main Results:
- Genetic tests identify specific mutations linked to hereditary cerebrovascular disorders.
- CT and MR imaging quantify infarcts and white-matter changes, while SPET and PET assess blood flow and metabolism.
- CSF biomarkers like tau and beta-amyloid help distinguish vascular dementia from Alzheimer's disease.
Conclusions:
- Biological markers, including genetic, imaging, and biochemical assays, are vital for diagnosing cerebrovascular diseases.
- These markers aid in differentiating various forms of dementia, particularly vascular dementia from Alzheimer's disease.
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