Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 25, 2025
Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions
Published on: April 23, 2021
Longitudinal changes in cerebral blood flow and their relation with cognitive decline in patients with dementia:
Ralf W J Weijs1, Daria A Shkredova1,2, Anna C M Brekelmans1
1Department of Physiology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Insights
Cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes may not predict cognitive decline over time, despite lower CBF in those with cognitive impairment. Further research is needed to clarify CBF
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Biology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Cognitive decline is multifactorial, with cerebrovascular health playing a potential role.
- Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is a key indicator of cerebrovascular health.
- Existing longitudinal studies on CBF and cognitive decline are limited by small sample sizes.
Approach:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.
- Examined the relationship between longitudinal changes in global CBF and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease.
- Qualitatively described findings on regional CBF.
Key Points:
- Cross-sectional studies show reduced CBF in cognitive decline patients.
- Longitudinal studies have not consistently supported a link between CBF reduction and cognitive decline.
- Meta-analysis aims to overcome limitations of previous underpowered studies.
Conclusions:
- Investigating CBF as a prognostic biomarker for dementia is crucial.
- Understanding CBF's role may identify new treatment targets for dementia.
- Clarifying the longitudinal relationship between CBF and cognitive decline is essential for dementia research.
Abstract:
The pathophysiology underlying cognitive decline is multifactorial, with increasing literature suggesting a role for cerebrovascular health. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is an important element of cerebrovascular health, which raises questions regarding the relation between CBF and cognitive decline. Cross-sectional studies demonstrate lower CBF in patients with cognitive decline compared to healthy age-matched peers. Remarkably, longitudinal studies do not support a link between CBF reductions and cognitive decline. These studies, however, are often limited by small sample sizes and may therefore be underpowered to detect small effect sizes. Therefore, through a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies, we examined whether longitudinal changes in global CBF are related to cognitive decline in subjects with Alzheimer's disease, and qualitatively described findings on regional CBF. Considering the growing impact of dementia and the lack of treatment options, it is important to understand the role of CBF as a prognostic biomarker and/or treatment target in dementia.
