Capillaries, Old Age and Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease: A Decreased Cerebral Blood Flow to Critical Intraneuronal Elements Is the Cause

“…Factors that limit CBF can diminish cellular energy for an indefinite period, causing the development of AD. These factors can include a depressed cardiac ejection fraction, a decrease in capillary density in AD [ 22 ], and conditions in small cerebral blood vessels that can result in the loss of a smooth flow of blood to critical neurons in the AD brain [ 23 ]. If a treatment for AD is to be accomplished, a major increase in CBF must be developed.…”

“…A significant decrease in CBF is a reflection of the normal aging process. Various factors causing this situation are a decreased cardiac ejection fraction, a decrease in cerebral capillary density [ 22 ], and changes in small blood vessels in the AD brain that have become twisted, kinked, and looped [ 23 ]. The CBF that flows into the brain perfuses intraneuronal mitochondria, which controls intraneuronal adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, ATP being the critical energy source of each cerebral neuron.…”

The omentum in the surgical treatment of recurrent ischemic stroke

“…[ 1 ] When there is a decreased level of VEGF in the brain, capillary density decreases. [ 2 ] If the incidence of recurrent strokes is to be reduced, an increase in VEGF appears necessary to maintain capillary density in areas of critical cerebral ischemia.…”