Exploring the intersection of atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease: the role of inflammation and complement
Emilia Vataja1, Giorgio Ratti2, Adrian Safa3
1Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Biomedicum 1 Haartmaninkatu 8, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
Insights
Atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease share common risk factors and inflammatory pathways. Complement activation, a key immune response, plays a role in the pathology of both conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- Atherosclerosis (AS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are complex, multifactorial conditions sharing numerous risk factors.
- Co-occurrence of vascular dementia with AD is observed, and many AD cases exhibit cardiovascular disease markers.
- Shared risk factors may promote chronic inflammation, including complement activation, at sites of vascular injury or molecular aggregate accumulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential links and shared mechanisms between Alzheimer's disease and Atherosclerosis.
- To provide a comprehensive narrative review of the bridging points connecting AD and AS.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive narrative review was conducted.
- Literature search focused on identifying shared pathophysiological mechanisms between AD and AS.
Main Results:
- Inflammation serves as a critical connecting pathway between Alzheimer's disease and Atherosclerosis.
- A significant link between systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation has been established.
- Complement system activation, a central component of innate immunity, is implicated in the pathogenesis of both AD and AS.
Conclusions:
- Atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease share overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms.
- Inflammation and complement system activity are key commonalities in the development of both diseases.
Background:
Atherosclerosis (AS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are both multifactorial in nature and share many risk factors. Vascular dementia and AD may occur together, and a substantial proportion of AD cases also have signs of cardiovascular disease, a relationship well-established by cohort studies. The risk factors could contribute to persistent smoldering inflammation, including activation of complement at sites of endothelial injury and/or by accumulation of molecular aggregates.
Methods:
To examine the possible bridging points between AD and AS, we constructed a comprehensive narrative review.
Results:
A connecting point between AD and AS is inflammation. Contrary to prior assumptions, a significant linkage exists between systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation. Activities of complement, a key effector of innate immunity, are of special interest in the pathogenesis of both diseases.
Conclusion:
AS and AD share a partially overlapping array of pathophysiological mechanisms.
Related Concept Videos
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction
Atherosclerosis III: Management
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests
Inflammation
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
Atherosclerosis IV: Nursing Management


