Neurosonological Examination: A Non-Invasive Approach for the Detection of Cerebrovascular Impairment in AD.
There has been a growing interest in vascular impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). This interest was stimulated by the findings of higher incidence of vascular risk factors in AD. Signs of vascular impairment were investigated notably in the field of imaging methods. Our aim was to explore ultrasonographic studies of extra- and intracranial vessels in patients with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and define implications for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the disease. The most frequently studied parameters with extracranial ultrasound are intima-media thickness in common carotid artery, carotid atherosclerosis, and total cerebral blood flow. The transcranial ultrasound concentrates mostly on flow velocities, pulsatility indices, cerebrovascular reserve capacity, and cerebral microembolization. Studies suggest that there is morphological and functional impairment of cerebral circulation in AD compared to healthy subjects. Ultrasound as a non-invasive method could be potentially useful in identifying individuals in a higher risk of progression of cognitive decline.
Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Motol University Hospital, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic.
Barbora
B
Urbanova
Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Motol University Hospital, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic.
Ales
A
Tomek
Department of Neurology, International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital , Brno , Czech Republic.
Robert
R
Mikulik
Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Motol University Hospital, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic.
Hana
H
Magerova
Department of Neurosurgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Central Military Hospital, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic ; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital , Brno , Czech Republic.
Daniel
D
Horinek
Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Motol University Hospital, Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic ; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital , Brno , Czech Republic.
Jakub
J
Hort
Alzheimer’s disease; carotid ultrasound; cerebrovascular reserve capacity; neurosonology; transcranial ultrasound