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Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia
Published on: November 6, 2017
Morphometric changes in the cortical microvascular network in Alzheimer's disease
Edo Richard1, Willem A van Gool, Jeroen J M Hoozemans
1Department of Neurology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. e.richard@amc.uva.nl
Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease : JAD
|September 23, 2010
Summary
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is linked to changes in brain capillaries. In AD patients, temporal cortex capillary length density increased, correlating with cortical atrophy, while occipital changes suggested capillary degeneration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
- Neurology
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by microvascular abnormalities.
- Cortical capillary network changes may impact neuronal function and cognition.
- Autopsy studies on AD-related microvascular morphometrics are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate morphological microvascular changes in Alzheimer's disease.
- To quantify capillary length density (CLD) in AD patients versus controls.
- To explore the relationship between microvascular changes and cortical atrophy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized virtual isotropic hemispheres for detailed microvascular analysis.
- Compared ten well-characterized AD patients with ten age-matched controls.
- Assessed capillary length density (CLD) and cortical diameter in specific brain regions.
Main Results:
- Capillary length density (CLD) in the temporal cortex was significantly increased (33%) in AD patients (p=0.04).
- Temporal cortex CLD increase correlated with decreased cortical diameter, suggesting a link to atrophy.
- Occipital cortex showed more "string vessels" (likely degenerated capillaries) in AD patients (p=0.004).
- Exploratory analysis indicated potential co-localization of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and string vessels.
Conclusions:
- Morphometric changes in the cortical capillary network occur in Alzheimer's disease.
- These microvascular alterations are region-specific, affecting the temporal cortex differently than the occipital cortex.
- The observed changes may be associated with, or contribute to, cortical atrophy in AD.
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