Alzheimer's Disease and Vascular Aging: JACC Focus Seminar.

TitleAlzheimer's Disease and Vascular Aging: JACC Focus Seminar.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsCortes-Canteli M, Iadecola C
JournalJ Am Coll Cardiol
Volume75
Issue8
Pagination942-951
Date Published2020 Mar 03
ISSN1558-3597
Abstract

Alzheimer's disease, the leading cause of dementia in the elderly, is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. However, age-related vascular changes accompany or even precede the development of Alzheimer's pathology, raising the possibility that they may have a pathogenic role. This review provides an appraisal of the alterations in cerebral and systemic vasculature, the heart, and hemostasis that occur in Alzheimer's disease and their relationships to cognitive impairment. Although the molecular pathogenesis of these alterations remains to be defined, amyloid-β is a likely contributor in the brain as in the heart. Collectively, the evidence suggests that vascular pathology is a likely pathogenic contributor to age-related dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, inextricably linked to disease onset and progression. Consequently, the contribution of vascular factors should be considered in preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches to address one of the major health challenges of our time.

DOI10.1016/j.jacc.2019.10.062
Alternate JournalJ. Am. Coll. Cardiol.
PubMed ID32130930