title: Carotid atherosclerosis and cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: Aim of the study was to explore the correlation between the progression of carotid atherosclerosis and the evolution of cognitive impairment in 66 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). They underwent cognitive status evaluation and ultrasonography (US) to investigate carotid arteries intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque index (PI). After a 12-month follow-up period, neuropsychological and US examinations were repeated to assess the progression of carotid atherosclerosis and of cognitive decline [in terms of changes in Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores]. MMSE score changes were related to baseline IMT (p=0.018), changes in IMT (p<0.001) and PI (p=0.006), and "antihypertensive drug intake" (p<0.001). While the first three variables correlated with increased cognitive impairment, the last one was associated with a reduced extent of MMSE score decline. Results show a link between progression of carotid wall changes and of cognitive decline, and suggest a possible protective role of antihypertensive therapy. Given the potential clinical implications, our preliminary findings could stimulate further investigations into the role of vascular impairment in patients with AD.
authors: Neurological Clinic, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy. m.silvestrini@univpm.it
authors: Mauro
authors: M
authors: Silvestrini
authors: Beatrice
authors: B
authors: Gobbi
authors: Patrizio
authors: P
authors: Pasqualetti
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Bartolini
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Baruffaldi
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Lanciotti
authors: Raffaella
authors: R
authors: Cerqua
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Altamura
authors: Leandro
authors: L
authors: Provinciali
authors: Fabrizio
authors: F
authors: Vernieri
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents