Asymptomatic Carotid Disease and Cognitive Impairment: What Is the Evidence?

Front Neurol. 2021 Nov 18;12:741500. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2021.741500. eCollection 2021.ABSTRACTThe development of cognitive dysfunction and dementia is a complex, multifactorial process. One of the contributors to various types of cognitive dysfunction is carotid atherosclerosis which can frequently be seen in asymptomatic individuals. There are a number of different manifestations of asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis including arterial stiffness, carotid intima-media thickening, flow-limiting stenosis, and complex, atherosclerotic plaque. Each of these forms of atherosclerosis may contribute to cerebral parenchymal damage, contributing to cognitive dysfunction. In this review article, we will discuss each of these forms of carotid atherosclerosis, present the potential mechanistic underpinnings behind an association, and then review the scientific evidence supporting potential associations to cognitive dysfunction and dementia.PMID:34867724 | PMC:PMC8636319 | DOI:10.3389/fneur.2021.741500
Source: Atherosclerosis - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research