Histopathological Analysis of Cerebrovascular Lesions Associated With Aging

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Dallaire-Théroux ◽  
Stephan Saikali ◽  
Maxime Richer ◽  
Olivier Potvin ◽  
Simon Duchesne
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Vascular Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Histopathological Analysis ◽  
Amyloid Angiopathy ◽  
Cerebrovascular Lesions ◽  
Natural Progression ◽  
Hemosiderin Deposits ◽  
Healthy Participants ◽  
Reproducible Manner

Abstract Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) has been associated with cognitive impairment. Yet, our understanding of vascular contribution to cognitive decline has been limited by heterogeneity of definitions and assessment, as well as its occurrence in cognitively healthy aging. Therefore, we aimed to establish the natural progression of CVD associated with aging. We conducted a retrospective observational study of 63 cognitively healthy participants aged 19–84 years selected through the histological archives of the CHU de Québec. Assessment of CVD lesions was performed independently by 3 observers blinded to clinical data using the Vascular Cognitive Impairment Neuropathology Guidelines (VCING). We found moderate to almost perfect interobserver agreement for most regional CVD scores. Atherosclerosis (ρ = 0.758) and arteriolosclerosis (ρ = 0.708) showed the greatest significant association with age, followed by perivascular hemosiderin deposits (ρ = 0.432) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA; ρ = 0.392). Amyloid and tau pathologies were both associated with higher CVD load, but only CAA remained significantly associated with amyloid plaques after controlling for age. Altogether, these findings support the presence of multiple CVD lesions in the brains of cognitively healthy adults, the burden of which increases with age and can be quantified in a reproducible manner using standardized histological scales such as the VCING.

scholarly journals The etiology, manifestations, and therapy of chronic cerebrovascular diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 84-91
Author(s):  
A. G. Gogoleva ◽  
V. V. Zakharov
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Pathological Condition ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Vascular Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Amyloid Angiopathy ◽  
Neuroradiological Diagnosis ◽  
Genetically Determined

The paper presents the current etiopathogenetic classification of chronic cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) and discusses the role of hypertension, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and genetically determined syndromes in the development of this pathological condition. It gives recommendations for the neuroradiological diagnosis of chronic CVD in accordance with the international standards. The paper discusses the clinical manifestations of chronic CVD, primarily vascular cognitive impairment. It discusses international guidelines for the examination and treatment of patients with chronic CVD, as well as the rules for stroke prevention in this patient cohort. The possibilities of pathogenetically based therapy in decreasing the severity of vascular cognitive impairment in the presence of chronic CVD are also highlighted.

scholarly journals Width of sulcus and thickness of gyrus in patients with cerebral atherosclerosis: a new tool for the prevention of vascular cognitive impairment

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (8) ◽  
pp. 684-691
Author(s):  
Luciana Santos Ramalho ◽  
Luciano Alves Matias da Silveira ◽  
Bárbara Cecílio Fonseca ◽  
José Eduardo Reis Félix ◽  
Lourimar José Morais ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cerebral Arteries ◽  
Vascular Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Posterior Region ◽  
Amyloid Angiopathy ◽  
Small Vessels ◽  
Cerebral Atherosclerosis ◽  
General Pathology ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Tomographic Analysis

SUMMARY BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cerebral atherosclerosis is the main cause of lesions that contribute to vascular cognitive impairment and vascular dementia, followed by arteriosclerosis of small vessels and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. The purpose of this study was to compare the post-mortem radiological alterations of autopsied adults with the macroscopic alterations in the posterior region of these brains in order to establish a relationship between the two forms of analysis and to discuss the relevance of the prevention of vascular cognitive impairment in patients with encephalic atherosclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirteen brains were analysed macroscopically to assess the degree of atherosclerosis of the basilar and the posterior cerebral arteries. The patients were autopsied in the Subject of General Pathology at General Hospital of Triângulo Mineiro Federal University in Uberaba, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The qualitative analysis of atherosclerosis was performed with classification into mild, moderate or severe. In the posterior region of the brains, width of sulcus and thickness of gyrus were measured by macroscopic analysis and by tomographic analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS There was a decrease in calcarine sulcus width and an increase in medial temporal occipital gyrus thickness in patients with a higher degree of atherosclerosis, macroscopically and in tomography, respectively. Low oxygenation caused by atherosclerosis probably leads to an encephalic parenchyma inflammation that causes microglial cells hypertrophy provoking increase in the gyrus thickness and decrease in the sulcus width, as observed in the present study.

scholarly journals Intra-erythrocytes magnesium deficiency could reflect cognitive impairment status due to vascular disease: a pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clementina Sitzia ◽  
Michele Sterlicchio ◽  
Calogero Crapanzano ◽  
Elena Dozio ◽  
Elena Vianello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Magnesium Deficiency ◽  
Memory Function ◽  
Vascular Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Magnesium Level ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Intracellular Magnesium ◽  
Reference Limit

Abstract Background and aims Magnesium is a fundamental cation that regulates neuronal transmission, protein synthesis, energy metabolism. Magnesium deficiency mostly affects nervous and cardiovascular systems determining weakness, tremors, seizure and arrhythmias. This condition retains also a role in memory function and neuronal plasticity. Importantly magnesium deficiency could remain latent and asymptomatic resulting a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In this sense we aim to determine magnesium status in patient presenting cognitive impairment of vascular origin. Methods 21 healthy subjects and 27 patients presenting vascular cognitive impairment were included in this study. Both plasma and intraerythrocitary magnesium level were measured to detect magnesium deficiency and cognitive performance was evaluated trough Mini Mental State Evaluation (MMSE). Results Here we showed that patients presenting vascular cognitive impairment present intraerythrocitary magnesium level lower than age-matched healthy subjects. To note their plasma magnesium resulted within reference limit. Conclusion We suggest that intracellular magnesium laboratory measurement is needed to detect occult magnesium deficiency in population at risk. Magnesium supplementation could represent an adjuvant for healthy aging in high risk population.

scholarly journals Reaction Time Decomposition as a Tool to Study Subcortical Ischemic Vascular Cognitive Impairment

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Emma Richards ◽  
Andrea Tales ◽  
Antony Bayer ◽  
Jade E. Norris ◽  
Claire Hanley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Reaction Time ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Vascular Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Driving Safety ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Time Decomposition

Background: The study of reaction time (RT) and its intraindividual variability (IIV) in aging, cognitive impairment, and dementia typically fails to investigate the processing stages that contribute to an overall response. Applying “mental chronometry” techniques makes it possible to separately assess the role of processing components during environmental interaction. Objective: To determine whether RT and IIV-decomposition techniques can shed light on the nature of underlying deficits in subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). Using a novel iPad task, we examined whether VCI deficits occur during both initiation and movement phases of a response, and whether they are equally reflected in both RT and IIV. Methods: Touch cancellation RT and its IIV were measured in a group of younger adults (n = 22), cognitively healthy older adults (n = 21), and patients with VCI (n = 21) using an iPad task. Results: Whereas cognitively healthy aging affected the speed (RT) of response initiation and movement but not its variability (IIV), VCI resulted in both slowed RT and increased IIV for both response phases. Furthermore, there were group differences with respect to response phase. Conclusion: These results indicate that IIV can be more sensitive than absolute RT in separating VCI from normal aging. Furthermore, compared to cognitively healthy aging, VCI was characterized by significant deficits in planning/initiating action as well as performing movements. Such deficits have important implications for real life actions such as driving safety, employment, and falls risk.

Prevalence of Vascular Cognitive Impairment Among a Veteran Population

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth E. Yoash-Gantz ◽  
Kristin L. Humphrey ◽  
Jacqueline W. Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Vascular Cognitive Impairment
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