Cerebrovascular endothelium can be used to better diagnose and treat Alzheimer's disease

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With respect to cerebrovascular health and function, Alzheimer's disease pathology appears to represent conditions of accelerated aging of the brain. In particular, the function of inward-rectifying K+ channels that govern blood flow to and throughout the brain is reduced in a sex-independent manner during middle age in AD mice. This effect is not observed until old age (≥ 24 months) in "normal" C57BL/6 mice that do not demonstrate an overt propensity to develop dementia during the span of a healthy adult life. Note that the current study only encompassed studies of cerebrovascular arteries that "feed" the brain. Accordingly, these data should be interpreted with consideration for clearance mechanisms of toxic debris and metabolites via glymphatic and venular networks during development of dementia as well. Although deficiencies in toxic peptide/protein buildup in the brain may be first begin with deficiency in ATP production and supply due to sub-optimal blood flow. Terminal disease up until death may be most reflective of impaired clearance of undesired macromolecular accumulations in the brain.

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