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Compounded outcomes associated with comorbid Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular disease

Date:
July 3, 2014
Source:
University of Kentucky
Summary:
Anecdotal information on patients with both Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular disease have been confirmed by researchers using mouse models in two different studies. The findings, which found elevated levels of homocysteine is associated with a number of disease states, have potentially significant implications for patients with both disorders.
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Researchers from the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky have been able to confirm anecdotal information on patients with both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) using mouse models in two different studies.

The findings of these two studies, which were recently published in Acta Neuropathologica and Alzheimer's Research & Therapy, have potentially significant implications for patients with both disorders.

Both papers studied CVD in Alzheimer's disease mouse models using different lifestyle factors.

Paul Murphy, Ph.D, and his group studied the combined effects of type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and cerebrovascular disease in a novel mouse genetic model.

Donna Wilcock, Ph.D, and her group used a different mouse model to study the effects of Alzheimer's disease and hyperhomocysteinemia on cognition. An elevated level of homocysteine is associated with a number of disease states, including CVD.

According to Wilcock, both papers came to similar conclusions.

"We found that, while the primary Alzheimer's pathologies were unchanged, the learning and memory outcomes were significantly worse. In other words, in our mouse models, the cognitive effects of Alzheimer's disease combined with cerebrovascular disease were compounded both in terms of severity and the speed of decline," Wilcock says.

Murphy emphasizes the significance of the findings, particularly since approximately 40% of Alzheimer's patients also have cerebrovascular disease.

"We are really excited about these results," Murphy said. "Until now, we have had almost no way to study how Alzheimer's and cerebrovascular disease interact. These new mouse models give us a way to test ideas about the disease, and ultimately develop ways to treat it."


Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Kentucky. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Tiffany L Sudduth, Erica M Weekman, Holly M Brothers, Kaitlyn Braun, Donna M Wilcock. β-amyloid deposition is shifted to the vasculature and memory impairment is exacerbated when hyperhomocysteinemia is induced in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Alzheimer's Research & Therapy, 2014; 6 (3): 32 DOI: 10.1186/alzrt262

Cite This Page:

University of Kentucky. "Compounded outcomes associated with comorbid Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular disease." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 3 July 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140703162336.htm>.
University of Kentucky. (2014, July 3). Compounded outcomes associated with comorbid Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular disease. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 18, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140703162336.htm
University of Kentucky. "Compounded outcomes associated with comorbid Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular disease." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140703162336.htm (accessed March 18, 2024).

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