Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Placement of Extracranial Stimulating Electrodes and Measurement of Cerebral Blood Flow and Intracranial Electrical Fields in Anesthetized Mice
06:34

Placement of Extracranial Stimulating Electrodes and Measurement of Cerebral Blood Flow and Intracranial Electrical Fields in Anesthetized Mice

Published on: June 2, 2023

Alzheimer disease: primary ischemia concept and promising therapy

E Niedermeyer1, M Mazza, S Mazza

  • 1Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

La Clinica Terapeutica
|January 27, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Alzheimer disease may stem from primary cerebral blood flow (CBF) deficits, not just secondary changes. This challenges the neurodegenerative view, suggesting ischemia as the root cause, potentially treatable with head-down therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Cerebral blood flow (CBF) plays a crucial role in Alzheimer disease (AD).
  • Existing data show declining CBF velocity in AD patients.
  • AD is conventionally viewed as neurodegenerative with secondary CBF changes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Critically evaluate existing literature on AD and CBF.
  • Propose a new concept of AD as a primary ischemic disorder.
  • Investigate the link between CBF deficits and upright gait.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and critical evaluation of existing studies.
  • Analysis of data from studies like The Rotterdam Study.
  • Comparison of CBF deficit severity with tissue damage and clinical findings.

Main Results:

  • Lack of correlation between CBF deficit severity and tissue damage/clinical findings supports primary ischemia.
  • The conventional view of secondary CBF changes in AD is questioned.
  • Upright gait in predisposed individuals is hypothesized as a cause for CBF deficit.

Conclusions:

  • Alzheimer disease may be a primary ischemic disorder, not solely neurodegenerative.
  • The proposed concept challenges current AD understanding.
  • Head-down therapy is suggested as a potential treatment and preventive measure.

More Related Videos

The Application Of Permanent Middle Cerebral Artery Ligation in the Mouse08:27

The Application Of Permanent Middle Cerebral Artery Ligation in the Mouse

Published on: July 25, 2011

A Thrombotic Stroke Model Based On Transient Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia06:01

A Thrombotic Stroke Model Based On Transient Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia

Published on: August 18, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:15

Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

An ischemic stroke occurs when a cerebral blood vessel becomes obstructed, most often by a thrombus or embolus, interrupting the delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain tissue. Because neurons rely on continuous aerobic metabolism, energy failure begins within minutes of reduced perfusion. The region receiving the least blood flow becomes the infarct core, an area of irreversible cellular death. Surrounding this core lies the penumbra, a zone of hypoperfused but still viable tissue that is...
Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction01:15

Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction

Ischemic stroke is an acute cerebrovascular condition in which blood flow to a brain region is suddenly interrupted, leading to tissue infarction. Neurons depend on continuous oxygen and glucose supply, so even brief reductions in perfusion cause energy failure, ionic imbalance, and irreversible injury. Ischemic strokes are classified into thrombotic and embolic types based on their underlying mechanisms.Thrombotic MechanismsThrombotic stroke develops when a clot forms within a cerebral artery.
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment01:22

Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment

Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview01:17

Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview

Ischemic heart disease occurs when the heart's blood supply dwindles, causing an ominous lack of oxygen and nutrients. This deficiency, stemming from reduced or obstructed blood flow, spells danger, leading to heart muscle damage and dysfunction.
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and narrowing...
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
Dementia l: Introduction01:22

Dementia l: Introduction

Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...