AD (Alzheimer's disease) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of unknown origin. Despite questions as to the underlying cause(s) of this disease, shared risk factors for both AD and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease indicate that vascular mechanisms may critically contribute to the development and progression of both AD and atherosclerosis. An increased risk of developing AD is linked to the presence of the apoE4 (apolipoprotein E4) allele, which is also strongly associated with increased risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Recent studies also indicate that cardiovascular risk factors, including elevated blood cholesterol and triacylglycerol (triglyceride), increase the likelihood of AD and vascular dementia. Lipids and lipoproteins in the circulation interact intimately with the cerebrovasculature, and may have important effects on its constituent brain microvascular endothelial cells and the adjoining astrocytes, which are components of the neurovascular unit. The present review will examine the potential mechanisms for understanding the contributions of vascular factors, including lipids, lipoproteins and cerebrovascular Aβ (amyloid β), to AD, and suggest therapeutic strategies for the attenuation of this devastating disease process. Specifically, we will focus on the actions of apoE, TGRLs (triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins) and TGRL lipolysis products on injury of the neurovascular unit and increases in blood–brain barrier permeability.
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Review Article|
August 05 2010
The vascular contribution to Alzheimer's disease
Robin Altman;
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis, 451 East Health Sciences Drive, Davis, CA 95616, U.S.A.
Correspondence: Dr Robin Altman (email [email protected]).
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John C. Rutledge
John C. Rutledge
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis, 451 East Health Sciences Drive, Davis, CA 95616, U.S.A.
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
February 04 2010
Revision Received:
June 02 2010
Accepted:
June 14 2010
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2010 Biochemical Society
2010
Clin Sci (Lond) (2010) 119 (10): 407–421.
Article history
Received:
February 04 2010
Revision Received:
June 02 2010
Accepted:
June 14 2010
Citation
Robin Altman, John C. Rutledge; The vascular contribution to Alzheimer's disease. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 November 2010; 119 (10): 407–421. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20100094
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