Heart-brain interaction in cardiogenic dementia: pathophysiology and therapeutic potential

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Cardiovascular and neurologic diseases often require separate treatments, but a growing body of evidence highlights their interconnectedness.
• Cardiogenic dementia, a form of cognitive impairment stemming from heart dysfunction, is an emerging area of significant research interest.
• Effective prevention and treatment strategies for cardiogenic dementia are vital for enhancing the quality of life, particularly among aging populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the relationship between various heart conditions and cognitive function decline.
• To provide an updated understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying cardiogenic dementia.
• To review potential therapeutic interventions, with a focus on herbal medicines.

Main Methods:

• Review of preclinical and clinical studies investigating the link between heart disease and cognitive impairment.
• Analysis of established and emerging pathogenic pathways of cardiogenic dementia.
• Exploration of pharmacological treatments, including multicomponent herbal medicines.

Main Results:

• Cognitive function changes are associated with coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and heart valve disease.
• Two primary pathogenic mechanisms for cardiogenic dementia are discussed: cerebral hypoperfusion due to reduced cardiac output and cognitive impairment independent of cerebral blood flow changes.
• Multicomponent herbal medicines show promise as potential treatments for cardiogenic dementia.

Conclusions:

• Heart disease significantly impacts cognitive function, leading to cardiogenic dementia.
• Understanding the dual pathogenic mechanisms is key to developing targeted therapies.
• Herbal medicines represent a promising avenue for the prevention and treatment of cardiogenic dementia.