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Bidirectional Crosstalk between the Heart and Brain in Alzheimer's Disease
Zhitian Wang1, Lv Zhou1, Na Zhao1
1Department of neurology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China.
Insights
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is linked to cardiovascular issues. This review explores the heart-brain axis in AD, suggesting new prevention and treatment strategies targeting this connection.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cardiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder often associated with systemic comorbidities.
- The intricate relationship between cardiovascular health and brain function in AD is not fully understood.
- Existing research highlights a bidirectional communication pathway between the heart and the brain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical evidence linking Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular health.
- To discuss the reciprocal roles of AD and the cardiovascular system.
- To propose novel intervention strategies for AD based on the heart-brain axis.
Main Methods:
- This study is a narrative review of existing clinical evidence.
- It synthesizes findings on the interactions between AD and cardiovascular health.
- The review examines molecular and neural pathways involved in the heart-brain axis.
Main Results:
- AD pathogenic proteins, risk genes, neurohormones, the autonomic nervous system, and neurotransmitters can impact cardiovascular health.
- Cardiac-derived proteins, neurohormones, vascular function, and inflammation may influence AD pathology and cognitive decline.
- A complex interplay exists between cardiovascular factors and AD progression.
Conclusions:
- The heart-brain axis plays a significant role in Alzheimer's disease.
- Understanding these interactions offers potential for new therapeutic targets.
- Interventions modulating the heart-brain axis may aid in AD prevention and treatment.
Abstract:
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder condition linked to various systemic comorbidities. Numerous studies have shown bidirectional crosstalk between the heart and the brain, but the specifics of how these interactions occur in AD are poorly understood. This narrative review summarizes the clinical evidence for a firm link between AD and cardiovascular health and discusses the bidirectional roles of AD and the cardiovascular system. AD pathogenic proteins, AD risk genes, neurohormones, the autonomic nervous system, and neurotransmitters may affect cardiovascular health, and cardiac-derived proteins, neurohormones, vascular function, inflammation, and other potential specific molecules or neural pathways may also influence AD pathology and cognitive function. Additionally, we propose potential AD intervention strategies based on the heart-brain axis to provide novel insights into AD prevention and treatment.
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