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Published on: March 7, 2019
Plasma beta-amyloid 1-40 is associated with the diffuse small vessel disease subtype
Meritxell Gomis1, Tomás Sobrino, Angel Ois
1Stroke Unit, Department of Neurociences, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol (Badalona), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. mgomis.germanstrias@gencat.cat
Plasma beta-amyloid(1-40) levels are linked to the diffuse subtype of small vessel disease (SVD). This finding suggests a role for beta-amyloid in SVD pathogenesis and endothelial dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Small vessel disease (SVD) comprises diffuse arteriopathy (diffuse-SVD) and microatheroma (focal-SVD) subtypes.
- Beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta) deposition is implicated in endothelial dysfunction, lacunar infarcts, and leukoaraiosis, but its specific role in SVD subtypes remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential roles of plasma Abeta levels in patients with acute lacunar stroke, specifically in relation to SVD subtypes.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 149 patients with acute ischemic stroke of SVD etiology and 25 age-matched controls.
- Patients were categorized into focal-SVD (isolated lacunar infarct without leukoaraiosis) and diffuse-SVD (lacunar infarct with leukoaraiosis or multiple lacunar infarcts).
- Plasma Abeta levels, vascular risk factors, and laboratory tests were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Plasma Abeta(1-40) levels were significantly higher in the diffuse-SVD group compared to both focal-SVD and control groups.
- No significant difference in Abeta(1-40) levels was observed between focal-SVD and control subjects.
- Logistic regression identified age, hypertension history, and elevated plasma Abeta(1-40) levels as independent predictors of the diffuse-SVD subtype.
Conclusions:
- Plasma beta-amyloid(1-40) levels are independently associated with the diffuse-SVD subtype.
- These findings support the hypothesis that Abeta(1-40) contributes to endothelial dysfunction in SVD pathogenesis.
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