Relationships between arteriosclerosis, cerebral amyloid angiopathy and myelin loss from cerebral cortical white matter in Alzheimer's disease

• DOI: 10.1046/j.0305-1846.2003.00510.x
• Publication Date: 2004-01-14T11:59:05Z
• Authors: J. Tian; J. Shi; K. Bailey; D. M. A. Mann
• Keywords: Pathogenesis; Temporal cortex

Pathological relationships between damage to the deep white matter of cerebral cortex [as evidenced by myelin loss (ML)], amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and arteriosclerosis (ART) were investigated in brains 137 patients with autopsy‐confirmed Alzheimer's disease (AD), order better understand causes AD, contribution this pathogenesis disorder. All had some degree CAA one or more brain regions although occipital was severely affected frequently, consequently mean severity score significantly greater, than other cortical regions. Eighty‐seven (63.5%) ML, showing ML from leading a higher region. One hundred twenty‐six (92%) ART, not frequently ART areas, nonetheless greater that frontal temporal cortex. showed both there only weak correlation extent ( P = 0.035). Forty‐seven significant 16 but no 40 absence 34 neither nor ML. Overall, for each four regions, correlated < 0.001) ART. However, when those 47 considered, much stronger correlations achieved overall within The (and scores pathological marker ART) 0.001). processes damage, terms at least, AD are thus likely be heterogeneous. Many suffer association others cannot explained presence CAA. In such patients, autoregulatory changes blood vessels might responsible suggests shared risk factors change.