Interventions that May Increase Cerebral Blood Flow

Abstract

The logic of treating vascular risk factors to prevent cognitive decline in aging individuals has already shown some success in preliminary population-based studies. This strategy is based on the fact that most persons at age 60 already show about 20 % less cerebral blood flow than at age 20, and adding an extra burden to this blood flow drop via conditions known to reduce brain perfusion will likely accelerate cognitive failure. However, by treating or managing vascular risk factors (Figs. 12.1, 12.2, and 12.3), considerable help in preventing the cerebral blood flow to drop to a critical level may be able to be forestalled. But, what happens when treating or managing vascular risk factors does not work?