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Cerebrovascular and cardiovascular pathology in Alzheimer's disease

Jack C de la Torre1

  • 1Sun Health Research Institute, Center for Alzheimer's Research, Sun City, Arizona 85351, USA.

International Review of Neurobiology
|June 9, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasingly viewed as a vascular disorder, not just neurodegenerative. Addressing vascular factors offers new treatment and management opportunities for this dementia.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by neurodegeneration.
  • Emerging evidence suggests a significant vascular component to AD pathogenesis.
  • Vascular dysfunction may precede or trigger neurodegenerative processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence supporting AD as a vascular disorder (vasocognopathy).
  • To discuss vascular risk factors implicated in AD development.
  • To highlight new research directions for AD management and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological studies.
  • Analysis of pharmacotherapeutic data.
  • Examination of neuroimaging findings.

Main Results:

  • Substantial evidence supports AD as a vascular disorder initiating with brain hypoperfusion.
  • Hypoperfusion leads to a neuronal energy crisis, driving dementia pathology.
  • Numerous vascular risk factors, many treatable, are linked to AD.

Conclusions:

  • AD should be conceptualized and treated as a vascular disorder.
  • Focusing on vascular health presents a promising avenue for AD intervention.
  • New research directions informed by vascular mechanisms offer hope for managing AD.

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