Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2026

A Visual Approach for Inducing Dolichoectasia in Mice to Model Large Vessel-Mediated Cerebrovascular Dysfunction
04:29

A Visual Approach for Inducing Dolichoectasia in Mice to Model Large Vessel-Mediated Cerebrovascular Dysfunction

Published on: May 17, 2024

Is sticky blood bad for the brain?: Hemostatic and inflammatory systems and dementia in the Caerphilly Prospective

John Gallacher1, Antony Bayer, Gordon Lowe

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Statistics and Public Health, Centre for Health Sciences Research, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, Wales, England. Gallacher@cf.ac.uk

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
|December 8, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Specific blood clotting factors, including fibrinogen, factor VIII, and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, are linked to increased risk of vascular dementia in older men. Inflammation did not show an association with vascular dementia.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Gerontology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Dementia, particularly vascular dementia, poses a significant public health challenge.
  • Hemostasis and inflammation are increasingly recognized as potential contributing factors to cognitive decline and dementia.
  • Understanding the specific pathways involved is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between specific hemostatic and inflammatory markers and the incidence of vascular and nonvascular dementia.
  • To identify key hemostatic subsystems implicated in dementia development.
  • To explore the role of clot formation mechanisms in vascular dementia pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 865 men aged 65-84 years.
  • Baseline assessment of 15 hemostatic and 6 inflammatory markers.
  • Cognitive status and dementia diagnosis (using NINDS-AIREN criteria for vascular dementia) assessed 17 years later.
  • Factor analysis used to identify hemostatic subsystems.

Main Results:

  • Vascular dementia was significantly associated with elevated levels of fibrinogen (HR, 1.68), factor VIII (HR, 1.79), and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (HR, 3.13).
  • Combined high levels of these three hemostatic markers increased vascular dementia risk by nearly threefold (HR, 2.97).
  • No significant association was found between inflammatory markers and vascular dementia incidence.

Conclusions:

  • Specific hemostatic factors, particularly those involved in clot formation, are implicated in the development of vascular dementia.
  • Findings support a microinfarct model for vascular dementia, where small blood clots obstruct brain circulation.
  • Further research into hemostasis modulation may offer therapeutic targets for preventing vascular dementia.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans08:29

Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans

Published on: December 18, 2016

Sub-acute Cerebral Microhemorrhages Induced by Lipopolysaccharide Injection in Rats06:39

Sub-acute Cerebral Microhemorrhages Induced by Lipopolysaccharide Injection in Rats

Published on: October 17, 2018

Related Concept Videos

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...
The Blood-brain Barrier00:49

The Blood-brain Barrier

Overview
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction01:17

Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction

A hemorrhagic stroke is an acute neurological event that occurs when a weakened cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to accumulate within or around the brain. The sudden release of blood forms a focal hematoma that increases intracranial pressure, displaces neural tissue, and can obstruct cerebrospinal fluid pathways. These effects may be compounded by intraventricular extension of the hemorrhage, cerebral edema, or compression of adjacent structures, all of which contribute to...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction01:29

Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction

Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...