Stroke, Vascular Dementia, and Alzheimer's Disease: Molecular Links

Murali Vijayan, P. Hemachandra Reddy

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    174 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Stroke is a brain disease that occurs when blood flow stops, resulting in reduced oxygen supply to neurons. Stroke occurs at any time and at any age, but increases after the age of 55. It is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability-adjusted, life-years. The pathophysiology of ischemic stroke is complex and recent molecular, cellular, and animal models and postmortem brain studies have revealed that multiple cellular changes have been implicated, including oxidative stress/mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammatory responses, micro RNA alterations, and marked changes in brain proteins. These cellular changes provide new information for developing therapeutic strategies for ischemic stroke treatment. Research also revealed that stroke increases with a number of modifiable factors and most strokes can be prevented and/or controlled through pharmacological or surgical interventions and lifestyle changes. Ischemic stroke is the major risk factor for vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. This review summarizes the latest research findings on stroke, including causal factors and molecular links between stroke and vascular disease/Alzheimer's disease.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)427-443
    Number of pages17
    JournalJournal of Alzheimer's Disease
    Volume54
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Sep 6 2016

    Keywords

    • Alzheimer's disease
    • hemorrhage
    • inflammatory responses
    • ischemic stroke
    • magnetic resonance imaging
    • vascular dementia

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Neuroscience
    • Clinical Psychology
    • Geriatrics and Gerontology
    • Psychiatry and Mental health

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