Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cardiovascular Function and the Brain: Is Dementia a Cardiovascular-Driven Disease?. Issue 22 (30th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Roos, Albert; van der Grond, Jeroen; Mitchell, Gary; Westenberg, Jos
• Is Part Of: Circulation. Volume 135:Issue 22(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-05-30
• Subjects: aorta -- brain -- cardiovascular disease -- magnetic resonance imaging -- pulse wave velocity; Blood -- Circulation -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular system -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Blood Circulation; Cardiovascular System; Vascular Diseases; 616.1
• DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.116.021978
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-7322

Abstract

Abstract : The proximal aorta acts as a coupling device between heart and brain perfusion, modulating the amount of pressure and flow pulsatility transmitted into the cerebral microcirculation. Stiffening of the proximal aorta is strongly associated with age and hypertension. The detrimental effects of aortic stiffening may result in brain damage as well as heart failure. The resulting cerebral small vessel disease and heart failure may contribute to early cognitive decline and (vascular) dementia. This pathophysiological sequence of events underscores the role of cardiovascular disease as a contributory mechanism in causing cognitive decline and dementia and potentially may provide a starting point for prevention and treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging is well suited to assess the function of the proximal aorta and the left ventricle (eg, aortic arch pulse wave velocity and distensibility) as well as the various early and late manifestations of cerebral small vessel disease (eg, microbleeds and white matter hyperintensities in strategically important regions of the brain). Specialized magnetic resonance imaging techniques are explored for diagnosing preclinical changes in white matter integrity or brain microvascular pulsatility.