Long known to be a risk factor for infarct-related dementia, cerebral ischemia (lowered blood flow to the brain) is now being postulated as a potential cause for primary degenerative (Alzheimer) dementia. The key is in the development of a signal protein harbinger of the abnormal neural types found later in the chronic course of the disorder. Apparently, the risk for the presence of this protein is inversely related to the vascular perfusion of the brain in aging individuals.

“This finding is significant because it suggests that improving blood flow to the brain might be an effective therapeutic approach to prevent or treat Alzheimer’s,” said [Robert] Vassar, a professor of cell and molecular biology at the Feinberg School. A simple preventive strategy people can follow to improve blood flow to the brain is getting exercise, reducing cholesterol and managing hypertension. “If people start early enough, maybe they can dodge the bullet,” Vassar said. For people who already have symptoms, vasodilators, which increase blood flow, may help the delivery of oxygen and glucose to the brain, he added.

You can add this hypothesis to the inflammatory mediation and spinal fluid postulates currently being actively researched in the fight against Alzheimer dementia. | LINK

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