Research progress on carotid artery changes and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease patients

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Vascular Biology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathogenesis traditionally focuses on amyloid-beta (Aβ) and Tau proteins.
• Emerging evidence highlights the critical role of vascular factors in AD development and progression.
• Cerebral blood flow alterations and micro-infarctions are key vascular pathophysiological processes in AD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively analyze vascular factors, particularly carotid artery changes, in Alzheimer's Disease.
• To investigate the correlation between carotid artery alterations, hippocampal atrophy, and cognitive function.
• To review the impact of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque formation on cerebral perfusion and cognitive decline.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review and analysis of existing research data up to 2025.
• Integration of findings from basic and clinical studies on vascular factors in AD.
• Focus on carotid artery changes (IMT, plaque) and their effects on cerebral perfusion.

Main Results:

• Numerous studies confirm a strong association between carotid artery changes and Alzheimer's Disease.
• Carotid artery thickening and plaque formation correlate with impaired cerebral perfusion.
• Cognitive function, assessed by MoCA and MMSE scores, deteriorates with worsening vascular changes.

Conclusions:

• Vascular factors, particularly carotid artery disease, are significant contributors to Alzheimer's Disease.
• Carotid artery changes accelerate cognitive decline by affecting cerebral blood flow.
• A notable evidence gap exists regarding the specific association between carotid artery changes and hippocampal atrophy in AD.