Beta-amyloid, blood vessels, and brain function.
Cerebrovascular disease and Alzheimer disease are common diseases of aging and frequently coexist in the same brain. Accumulating evidence suggests that the presence of brain infarction, including silent infarction, influences the course of Alzheimer disease. Conversely, there is evidence that beta-amyloid can impair blood vessel function. Vascular beta-amyloid deposition, also known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy, is associated with vascular dysfunction in animal and human studies. Alzheimer disease is associated with morphological changes in capillary networks, and soluble beta-amyloid produces abnormal vascular responses to physiological and pharmacological stimuli. In this review, we discuss current evidence linking beta-amyloid metabolism with vascular function and morphological changes in animals and humans.
Smith
Eric E
EE
Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Greenberg
Steven M
SM
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D016657:Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides