Carotid artery stenosis as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease: Human neuropathology/vascular. (7th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vitali, Francesca; Beach, Thomas G.; Alexander, Gene; Reiman, Eric M.; Arias, Juan Aristizabal; Brinton, Roberta Diaz; Altbach, Maria; Weinkauf, Craig
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 16(2020)Supplement 2
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-12-07
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer Disease -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Démence; Maladie d'Alzheimer; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.83
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.046162
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-5260

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The role of extra‐cranial carotid artery disease (ECAD) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not clear but of significance because treatments including carotid endarterectomy (CEA) are available yet not offered for the indication of dementia prevention. Here, we conducted a preliminary study to elucidate if ECAD can be considered a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and if CEA can improve cognitive impairment and dementia opening new views on possible treatment intervention options. Method: Using Banner Alzheimer's Brain Bank, post‐mortem pathological analyses were conducted on 48 patients with ECAD treated with CEA and 92 subjects with ECAD without CEA. Neurofibrillary tangles and white matter lesion burden were quantified by post‐mortem histology and scored at autopsy by pathologists. Student's t‐test was performed to compare patients with ECAD with and without carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Result: Preliminary results indicate that patients with CEA had significantly lower burden of white matter lesions (P = .05) and neurofibrillary tangles (P = .04). Additional analyses will evaluate whether CEA improves cognition in a cohort of patients with ECAD. Conclusion: Outcomes of these analyses provide proof of concept indicating impact of ECAD on changes in brain structure associated with dementia. These outcomes provide a foundation on which to test hypotheses regarding the mechanisms contributing to ECAD associated AD.