Neuroinflammation underlies the etiology of multiple neurodegenerative diseases and stroke. Our understanding of neuroinflammation has evolved in the last few years and major players have been identified. Microglia, the brain resident macrophages, are considered sentinels at the forefront of the neuroinflammatory response to different brain insults. Interestingly, microglia perform other physiological functions in addition to their role in neuroinflammation. Therefore, an updated approach in which modulation, rather than complete elimination of microglia is necessary. In this review, the emerging roles of microglia and their interaction with different components of the neurovascular unit are discussed. In addition, recent data on sex differences in microglial physiology and in the context of stroke will be presented. Finally, the multiplicity of roles assumed by microglia in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke, and in the presence of co-morbidities such as hypertension and diabetes are summarized.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104349 | DOI Listing |
Cells
December 2024
Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100054, China.
Neurovascular coupling (NVC) refers to the process of local changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) after neuronal activity, which ensures the timely and adequate supply of oxygen, glucose, and substrates to the active regions of the brain. Recent clinical imaging and experimental technology advancements have deepened our understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying NVC. Pathological conditions such as stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral small vascular disease, and vascular cognitive impairment can disrupt NVC even before clinical symptoms appear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFluids Barriers CNS
January 2025
Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, 760 Press Ave, 124 HKRB, Lexington, KY, 40536-0679, USA.
Background: Blood-brain barrier dysfunction is one characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is recognized as both a cause and consequence of the pathological cascade leading to cognitive decline. The goal of this study was to assess markers for barrier dysfunction in postmortem tissue samples from research participants who were either cognitively normal individuals (CNI) or diagnosed with AD at the time of autopsy and determine to what extent these markers are associated with AD neuropathologic changes (ADNC) and cognitive impairment.
Methods: We used postmortem brain tissue and plasma samples from 19 participants: 9 CNI and 10 AD dementia patients who had come to autopsy from the University of Kentucky AD Research Center (UK-ADRC) community-based cohort; all cases with dementia had confirmed severe ADNC.
Neuron
January 2025
Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address:
As global life expectancy increases, age-related brain diseases such as stroke and dementia have become leading causes of death and disability. The aging of the neurovasculature is a critical determinant of brain aging and disease risk. Neurovascular cells are particularly vulnerable to aging, which induces significant structural and functional changes in arterial, venous, and lymphatic vessels.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Dement
December 2024
Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
Background: Autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease (ADAD) is characterized by genetic mutations affecting the beta‐amyloid (Aβ) pathway. However, vascular and immune factors play important roles which are not completely understood. Understanding the function of the neurovascular unit (NVU) comprised of neurons, glial cells, and vasculature, at different disease stages appears ideal to developing and evaluating therapeutics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimers Dement
December 2024
Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Background: Growing evidence shows neurovascular dysfunction occurs early in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and may be a useful early marker of pathology. Blood‐brain barrier water exchange rate (BBB kw) is a novel measure of fluid transport through the neurovascular unit. Lower BBB kw has been associated with vascular risk factors, but its relationship with age, vascular brain health and biomarkers of AD remains equivocal.
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