From Brain Ischemia to Alzheimer-Like Neurodegeneration

Abstract

Latest studies have revealed a key role of ischemic brain episodes in Alzheimer-like neurodegeneration and dementia development. This review presents the current progress in understanding how brain ischemia may promote Alzheimer's disease pathological changes and cognitive impairment. It seems that brain ischemia promotes Alzheimer's disease-like neurodegeneration development through various mechanisms, including accumulation and aggravation of different parts of amyloid protein precursor, tau protein phosphorylation, dysregulation of Alzheimer-related genes, neuroinflammation, neuronal loss, synaptic dysfunction, white matter lesion and general brain atrophy. Progress in understanding key mechanisms of ischemia-induced changes of Alzheimer-phenotype will help develop preventing and treating strategies against sporadic Alzheimer's disease pathology and dementia generated by sublethal and/or silent ischemia.