Circle of Willis atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and the Dean number

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cardiovascular Science
• Medical Engineering

Background:

• Atherosclerosis is increasingly recognized for its role in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathophysiology.
• Traditional risk factors like hyperlipidemia and inflammation may not fully account for AD's link to the Circle of Willis.
• The Circle of Willis, a complex vascular structure, presents unique geometric features.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential link between the geometric characteristics of the Circle of Willis and atherosclerotic plaque formation.
• To propose a novel pathophysiological pathway for AD involving atherosclerosis within the Circle of Willis.
• To identify specific areas within the Circle of Willis that are more susceptible to atherosclerotic changes.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the Circle of Willis's geometry, including curvature and vessel branching angles.
• Consideration of hemodynamic principles, such as the Dean number, to assess blood flow resistance.
• Comparative examination of atherosclerotic changes in different regions of the Circle of Willis.

Main Results:

• Geometric peculiarities of the Circle of Willis, such as varying curvature and angles, influence local hemodynamics.
• Certain areas within the Circle of Willis exhibit a higher likelihood of developing atherosclerotic changes due to these hemodynamic variations.
• These geometry-driven hemodynamic differences may represent a novel pathway contributing to atherosclerosis in AD.

Conclusions:

• The geometric features of the Circle of Willis may dictate regional susceptibility to atherosclerosis.
• This geometry-atherosclerosis interaction could represent a significant, previously unrecognized, contributor to Alzheimer's Disease.
• Future research should investigate selective atherosclerotic changes in the Circle of Willis to elucidate its role in AD pathogenesis.