Vascular dementia: From pathobiology to emerging perspectives.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Pathobiology

Background:

• Vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most common dementia type, significantly impacting older adults' health.
• While risk factors are known, the exact pathological mechanisms of VaD require further elucidation.
• There is a need to identify modifiable lifestyle factors to mitigate VaD development risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically examine factors influencing vascular dementia risk.
• To provide an overview of the pathobiology of VaD.
• To discuss emerging therapeutic strategies for VaD.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on VaD risk factors and mechanisms.
• Analysis of research on lifestyle modifications and their impact on VaD.
• Exploration of novel treatment avenues such as epigenetics, gut microbiome, and pro-longevity drugs.

Main Results:

• Identified several modifiable lifestyle factors that can influence VaD risk.
• Provided insights into the underlying pathological mechanisms of VaD.
• Highlighted emerging treatments with potential to mitigate VaD.

Conclusions:

• Understanding VaD pathobiology and risk factors is crucial for prevention.
• Modifiable lifestyle factors offer a promising avenue for reducing VaD incidence.
• Emerging treatments like epigenetics and microbiome interventions warrant further investigation for VaD management.