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

J Alzheimers Dis. 2016 Sep 6;54(2):427-43. doi: 10.3233/JAD-160527.

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.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; hemorrhage; inflammatory responses; ischemic stroke; magnetic resonance imaging; vascular dementia.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / etiology
  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
  • Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) / genetics
  • Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing) / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Dementia, Vascular / etiology
  • Dementia, Vascular / genetics
  • Dementia, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism
  • Risk Factors
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Smoking / genetics
  • Smoking / metabolism
  • Stroke / etiology
  • Stroke / genetics
  • Stroke / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • NOS2 protein, human
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • AOC3 protein, human
  • Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)