Aging and cerebrovascular disease

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 29, 2026

Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia
09:17

Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia

Published on: November 6, 2017

J Y Choi1, J C Morris, C Y Hsu

  • 1Department of Neurology, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63110-1093, USA.

Neurologic Clinics
|July 17, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Aging impacts cerebrovascular disease through mechanisms like impaired autoregulation and blood-brain barrier changes. This increases vulnerability to conditions such as stroke and vascular dementia in older adults.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Gerontology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Aging alters cerebrovascular mechanisms, including cerebral autoregulation, metabolism, blood-brain barrier integrity, and autonomic function.
  • These age-related changes predispose the cerebrovascular system to injury and disease.
  • The elderly population exhibits a higher incidence of specific cerebrovascular conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which aging influences the expression of cerebrovascular diseases.
  • To highlight common cerebrovascular conditions manifesting in the elderly.
  • To discuss the evolving understanding of the roles of atherosclerosis and cerebral amyloid angiopathy in Alzheimer's disease.

Main Methods:

  • Review of age-related changes in cerebrovascular regulation and function.
  • Identification of cerebrovascular diseases prevalent in the elderly.
  • Integration of findings from neuroimaging, neuropsychological, and histopathological studies.
  • Examination of the roles of atherosclerosis and cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

Main Results:

  • Age-related alterations in cerebral autoregulation, cellular metabolism, blood-brain barrier, and autonomic function increase cerebrovascular vulnerability.
  • Commonly observed cerebrovascular diseases in the elderly include atrial fibrillation, watershed infarctions, carotid artery atherosclerosis, cerebral hemorrhages, subdural hematomas, and transient global amnesia.
  • Vascular dementia and white matter disease are increasingly understood through advanced neuroimaging and detailed examinations.
  • Atherosclerosis and cerebral amyloid angiopathy are recognized as significant contributors to Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Conclusions:

  • Aging significantly impacts cerebrovascular disease expression through multiple physiological pathways.
  • Understanding these age-related vulnerabilities is crucial for diagnosing and managing cerebrovascular conditions in older adults.
  • Further research into the roles of atherosclerosis and cerebral amyloid angiopathy may refine Alzheimer's disease understanding and treatment.

More Related Videos

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions07:30

Evaluation of the Cognitive Performance of Hypertensive Patients with Silent Cerebrovascular Lesions

Published on: April 23, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Dementia l: Introduction01:22

Dementia l: Introduction

Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction01:29

Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction

Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview01:26

Alzheimer's Disease: Overview

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...