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Cardiovascular risk factors and future risk of Alzheimer's disease

Renée F A G de Bruijn, M Arfan Ikram1

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Wytemaweg 80, Rotterdam, 3015, CN, the Netherlands. m.a.ikram@erasmusmc.nl.

BMC Medicine
|November 12, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors are increasingly linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD) development. Understanding this connection may reveal new strategies for preventing or treating AD.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodegenerative diseases
  • Cardiovascular science
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder in older adults with no cure.
  • While amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are AD hallmarks, cerebrovascular pathology is also significant.
  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is frequently observed alongside AD, suggesting a potential link.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the elderly.
  • To explore the role of clinical CVD, pre-clinical vascular disease markers, and cardiovascular risk factors in AD etiology.
  • To examine how established and emerging cardiovascular risk factors contribute to AD, partly through CVD.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review summarizing research findings on CVD and AD.
  • Analysis of associations between clinical CVD (stroke, heart disease) and AD.
  • Examination of imaging markers for pre-clinical vascular disease in relation to AD.
  • Discussion of established and emerging cardiovascular risk factors and their impact on AD via CVD.

Main Results:

  • Clinical CVD, including stroke and heart disease, is associated with Alzheimer's disease.
  • Imaging markers of pre-clinical vascular disease correlate with AD.
  • Both established and emerging cardiovascular risk factors are linked to AD, often mediated by CVD.

Conclusions:

  • Cerebrovascular pathology is a significant factor in Alzheimer's disease.
  • Cardiovascular health is crucial for brain health in aging populations.
  • Further research into the interplay between CVD and AD may yield novel therapeutic targets.

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