The link between cardiovascular risk, Alzheimer's disease, and mild cognitive impairment: support from recent functional neuroimaging studies

Abstract

Objective: To review functional neuroimaging studies about the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search to identify articles in the neuroimaging field addressing CVRF in AD and MCI. We included studies that used positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT), or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Results: CVRFs have been considered risk factors for cognitive decline, MCI, and AD. Patterns of AD-like changes in brain function have been found in association with several CVRFs (both regarding individual risk factors and also composite CVRF measures). In vivo assessment of AD-related pathology with amyloid imaging techniques provided further evidence linking CVRFs and AD, but there is still limited information resulting from this new technology. Conclusion: There is a large body of evidence from functional neuroimaging studies supporting the hypothesis that CVRFs may play a causal role in the pathophysiology of AD. A major limitation of most studies is their cross-sectional design; future longitudinal studies using multiple imaging modalities are expected to better document changes in CVRF-related brain function patterns and provide a clearer picture of the complex relationship between aging, CVRFs, and AD.

Associations of cerebrovascular metabolism genotypes with neuropsychiatric symptoms and age at onset of Alzheimer’s disease dementia

“…1 As a result, these patients usually present with a combination of AD and vascular neuropathological profiles. 2 Conversely, we have previously shown that higher cerebrovascular risk in late life leads to cognitive and functional stabilization or even improvement for patients with AD, possibly related to enhanced cerebral perfusion, 3 though some studies have shown that cerebrovascular risk factors may lead to faster cognitive decline. 2 The astrocyte-secreted apolipoprotein E is a cholesterolbinding lipoprotein that transports cholesterol through cell membranes 4 and is involved in cholinergic dysfunction, 5 atherogenesis, and amyloidogenesis, 6 besides being a high-affinity ligand for the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) within the central nervous system.…”

“…2 Conversely, we have previously shown that higher cerebrovascular risk in late life leads to cognitive and functional stabilization or even improvement for patients with AD, possibly related to enhanced cerebral perfusion, 3 though some studies have shown that cerebrovascular risk factors may lead to faster cognitive decline. 2 The astrocyte-secreted apolipoprotein E is a cholesterolbinding lipoprotein that transports cholesterol through cell membranes 4 and is involved in cholinergic dysfunction, 5 atherogenesis, and amyloidogenesis, 6 besides being a high-affinity ligand for the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) within the central nervous system. 7 The apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) is a moderately penetrant gene that is neither a prerequisite nor a sufficient agent for development of AD, despite the fact that APOE-e4 is the most important genetic risk factor for incidence 8 and earlier onset of late-onset AD, 1 while also affecting behavioral performance 2 and decreasing prospective physical activity in such patients.…”

“…2 The astrocyte-secreted apolipoprotein E is a cholesterolbinding lipoprotein that transports cholesterol through cell membranes 4 and is involved in cholinergic dysfunction, 5 atherogenesis, and amyloidogenesis, 6 besides being a high-affinity ligand for the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) within the central nervous system. 7 The apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) is a moderately penetrant gene that is neither a prerequisite nor a sufficient agent for development of AD, despite the fact that APOE-e4 is the most important genetic risk factor for incidence 8 and earlier onset of late-onset AD, 1 while also affecting behavioral performance 2 and decreasing prospective physical activity in such patients. 3 APOE-e4 carriers are also more prone to decreased risk of dementia associated with physical activity, 9 while neuropsychiatric assessment findings may correlate with specific biomarkers.…”

Comunicação e cuidados paliativos em demência: revisão de 5 anos

“…This high prevalence, together with the high costs demanded by these patients' care, makes dementia a health priority to governments of all countries 3 . In spite of huge investments on research, the pathophysiology of Alzheimer, the most common cause of dementia, is not completely known 4 . However, it is certain that it is multifactorial and has genetical, lifestylerelated and environmental factors 5 .…”

Controlling Water Exchange Kinetics and Improving ParaCEST Imaging

“…This technique is often performed to identify tissue that have higher blood flow rates and therefore accelerated growth and metabolic rates, like cancer, metastasis, and infection. [19][20][21][22][23][24] PET imaging has been used to assess the effectiveness of cancer therapies [25][26][27] , psychiatric drug treatments [28][29][30][31][32] , and anti-atherosclerosis therapies 33,34 , to examine links between brain activity and psychological processes 29,[35][36][37][38][39] , to study vascular diseases including stroke risk and inflammation responses [40][41][42][43][44][45] , and to look at musculoskeletal development 46,47 . SPECT imaging has been primarily used in functional cardiac and brain imaging.…”