Cerebrovascular damage as a cause for Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a patient's memory function and ability to carry out daily activities. According to the prevailing amyloid cascade hypothesis, Alzheimer's disease is initiated by amyloid beta-peptide accumulation leading to neuronal toxicity. The neurofibrillary tangle deriving from hyperphosphorylated tau and synapse loss are also key features for Alzheimer's disease. Recent studies revealed a significant co-morbidity of Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular disease suggesting that cerebrovascular dysregulation is an important feature of Alzheimer's disease. This mini-review will discuss the hypothesis that a dysfunction of the vascular system may result in damage of the neurovascular unit, initiating a cascade of events. An overlap with other forms of cognitive impairment, such as mild cognitive impairment, or vascular dementia will be discussed.
Humpel
Christian
C
Laboratory of Exp. Alzheimer's Research, Department of Psychiatry, Innsbruck Medical University, Austria. christian.humpel@uibk.ac.at
Marksteiner
Josef
J
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides