Neurovascular mechanisms of Alzheimer's neurodegeneration

Trends Neurosci. 2005 Apr;28(4):202-8. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2005.02.001.

Abstract

In contrast to traditional neuroncentric views of Alzheimer's disease (AD), recent findings indicate that neurovascular dysfunction contributes to cognitive decline and neurodegeneration in AD. Here, I propose the neurovascular hypothesis of AD, suggesting that faulty clearance of amyloid beta peptide (A beta) across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), aberrant angiogenesis and senescence of the cerebrovascular system could initiate neurovascular uncoupling, vessel regression, brain hypoperfusion and neurovascular inflammation. Ultimately, this would lead to BBB compromise, to chemical imbalance in the neuronal environment and to synaptic and neuronal dysfunction, injury and loss. Based on the neurovascular hypothesis, I suggest an array of new potential therapeutic approaches that could be developed for AD, to enhance A beta clearance and neurovascular repair, and to protect the neurovascular unit from divergent inducers of injury and apoptosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / complications*
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / physiopathology
  • Brain / blood supply*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Models, Neurological
  • Nerve Degeneration / etiology*
  • Nerve Degeneration / pathology

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides