From Neurodevelopmental to Neurodegenerative Disorders: The Vascular Continuum

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Vascular Biology
• Neurology

Background:

• The brain's high energy demand necessitates constant blood supply, making cerebral vasculature critical for neural and glial cell function.
• Healthy brain development and aging depend on the lifelong interaction between vascular and nervous systems.
• Neurovascular coupling, essential for responding to neural activity, develops during critical periods, rendering the brain vulnerable to vascular alterations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review vascular dysfunctions in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.
• To focus on impairments in angiogenesis, cerebral blood flow (CBF), and the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
• To explore the link between early vascular deficits and later neurodegenerative disease expression.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of cerebrovascular contributions to neurological disorders.
• Analysis of shared vascular abnormalities in distinct neurological conditions.
• Discussion of the impact of angiogenesis, CBF, and BBB deficits.

Main Results:

• Cerebrovascular integrity is vital for brain health across the lifespan.
• Deficits in angiogenesis, CBF, and BBB are linked to cognitive impairment.
• Neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders share common vascular pathologies.

Conclusions:

• Vascular dysfunctions are implicated in both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Impaired angiogenesis, CBF, and BBB integrity are key contributors to neurological disorders.
• Early-life vascular issues may influence the development of neurodegenerative conditions later in life.