Vascular Reserve and Protective Mechanisms in Aging and Alzheimer’s Dementia Risk

University Of Southern California, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Project Abstract Vascular risk factors are risk factors for Alzheimer?s and vascular dementia, the two leading causes of dementia, and cerebrovascular disease is found in the brains of both Alzheimer?s and vascular dementia patients at autopsy. Less is known about vascular protective factors in dementia, but protective vascular factors are known to modify cardiovascular disease risk. The current proposal focuses on vascular protective factors and introduces the concept of ?vascular reserve?, which is defined by the degree of protection from cognitive decline conveyed by protective vascular factors. The research will entail study of two major protective factors: 1) endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) that circulate in the blood stream to repair and maintain blood vessel integrity and function and 2) renin-angiotensin system (RAS) peptides that protect vessels from oxidative and inflammatory injury through multiple pathways. The study will examine whether these protective factors are associated with improved brain blood flow, less brain vascular disease, larger brain volumes within vulnerable regions, and better cognitive performance in older adults with vascular risk factors. If these factors protect against these risk indicators for dementia then they may open new avenues for risk assessment and targeted prevention.