24/03/2025
The role of the brain microcirculation in the development of dementia is receiving increasing interest. This is illustrated from different perspectives by two recent studies.
In the first study, UCLA researchers have identified placental growth factor (PlGF) as a potential blood biomarker for early detection of cognitive impairment and dementia. High PlGF levels correlate with increased vascular permeability, suggesting its role in the development of cerebral small vessel disease. This finding could enable earlier identification and intervention for at-risk individuals compared to current MRI-based diagnostics.
Researchers and clinicians typically use MRI scans to track brain blood vessel changes linked to cognitive impairment and dementia, particularly white matter lesions. These scans detect downstream biological markers that appear later in the disease process. However, this blood test could spot earlier changes, potentially identifying at-risk patients sooner and at a lower cost.
“We studied a protein in the blood that is critical in the formation of blood vessels but that also appears to play a role in vascular permeability associated with cognitive decline,” explained researcher Jason Hinman. “Evaluating data from a large group of patients with a range of vascular risk profiles and cognition ranging from unimpaired to mild dementia, we found that plasma levels of this protein, placental growth factor (PlGF), could potentially be used as a biomarker to screen for and monitor cognitive impairment and dementia.”
In the second publication, also from California, a USC-led study has found that mild cognitive impairment is linked to blood vessel dysfunction in the brain’s temporal lobes, regardless of Alzheimer-related changes. This suggests that vascular issues may serve as an early biomarker for dementia and could be a promising target for treatment. The study highlights the importance of focusing on vascular health in diagnosing and potentially treating memory loss.
This vascular issue was observed in individuals both with and without amyloid buildup in the brain, indicating that microvascular dysfunction could serve as an early biomarker for dementia and a potential target for treatment. The study, conducted by researchers from several universities, was published in the journal Neurology.
“We’re studying the ability of these very small vessels to respond to stimuli and to dilate, and they’re showing dysfunction in people who have memory problems,” said senior author Daniel Nation, a professor of gerontology and medicine at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. “It could implicate blood vessel dysfunction in a very early stage of memory loss. It happened whether or not people had Alzheimer’s-related brain changes. They still had this blood vessel problem if they had memory issues.”
For the study, researchers recruited a sample of 144 older, independently living adults from the community. The volunteers took a neuropsychological assessment, gave blood samples and underwent a brain MRI. During the MRI, volunteers held their breath for 15-second intervals, an exercise designed to dilate the brain’s blood vessels, a natural process called “cerebrovascular reactivity” which regulates oxygen levels in the brain.
Researchers paid special attention to blood vessels supplying the temporal lobes, located on the sides of the head, near the ears. Participants whose blood vessels failed to dilate properly showed signs of cognitive impairment.
“With this approach, we can pinpoint the problem to the blood vessels and their ability to dilate. That’s not the way people usually think about memory impairment in older adults,” Nation said. “There’s an increasing realisation that the main cause of dementia is not actually Alzheimer’s disease, it’s mixed pathology. If you just focus on amyloid, you’re certainly not going to get the full picture. Maybe this technique should be incorporated into our diagnostic approaches.”
“Our findings underscore the need to focus on vascular health as a critical factor in memory decline,” said first author Arunima Kapoor, a graduate student at the University of California, Irvine.
And all I can add is Ginkgo, Ginkgo and more Ginkgo, and also green tea (see research posting to follow in a few days).
For more information see: https://scitechdaily.com/simple-blood-test-to-detect-dementia-before-symptoms-appear/
and
https://scitechdaily.com/usc-study-exposes-hidden-culprit-of-dementia-in-brains-blood-vessels/
