Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the cause of vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. By analyzing brain scans and cognitive tests from over 3,700 participants, they found a biomarker that could aid in advancing research on potential treatments.
Vascular dementia is caused by cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD), which damages the brain’s small blood vessels. The researchers used a technique called Diffusion Tensor Image Analysis along the Perivascular Space – or DTI-ALPS – to determine how well the glymphatic system was functioning in each person based on their brain scans.
The study confirmed that a low DTI-ALPS score is a biomarker for cSVD and suggests that glymphatic damage may be driving cognitive decline. The researchers found that people with lower DTI-ALPS scores also performed lower on cognitive tests, indicating a clear link between the two.
Furthermore, the team discovered that glymphatic problems lead to cognitive impairment through a potential pathway involving the accumulation of excess water in the brain’s white matter. This finding provides a target for clinical researchers seeking to develop treatments for vascular dementia.
While more research is needed to confirm the causal nature of this pathway, the study’s findings indicate that the DTI-ALPS score biomarker is robust and ready to be used in clinical trials. Enhancing glymphatic function through lifestyle changes or medications may also be a promising approach to treating vascular dementia, with potential benefits for Alzheimer’s disease as well.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/usc-researchers-uncover-hidden-brain-drain-responsible-for-vascular-dementia