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Contributions of vascular ageing to late-onset Alzheimer's disease

Skylyn J Ferguson1, Young Deanna Choi1, Ashley E Walker1

  • 1Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA.

Experimental Physiology
|April 9, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Vascular aging significantly contributes to late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) by impairing brain blood flow and the blood-brain barrier. Understanding these vascular changes is crucial for developing effective LOAD treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gerontology
  • Cardiovascular Research

Background:

  • Late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) is linked to vascular risk factors and cerebrovascular issues.
  • Aging impacts cerebral blood flow, neurovascular coupling, and blood-brain barrier permeability, potentially initiating LOAD neuropathology.
  • Systemic vascular changes like hypertension and arterial stiffness may drive age-related cerebrovascular impairments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence linking vascular aging to LOAD.
  • To describe age-related cerebrovascular impairments and their underlying causes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review synthesizing current research on vascular aging and LOAD.

Main Results:

  • Aging dysregulates cerebral blood flow and neurovascular coupling.
  • Increased blood-brain barrier permeability is a hallmark of vascular aging.
  • Systemic vascular aging contributes to cerebrovascular impairments.
  • Oxidative stress, inflammation, and LOAD pathologies like amyloid-β and tau impair cerebrovascular cells.

Conclusions:

  • Vascular aging is a significant contributor to LOAD.
  • Age-related cerebrovascular impairments are multifactorial, involving systemic and central vascular changes.
  • Further research into these mechanisms is needed for LOAD prevention and treatment.

Keywords:
amyloidcerebral blood flowcerebrovasculardementiaendothelial

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