The possible role and treatment of deficient microcirculation regulation in age-associated memory impairment.

The assumption that all mental activity is accompanied by changes in blood flow to the activated areas of the brain implies that precisely controlled mechanism of regulation are in operation. Part of the regulatory mechanisms would involve the dilation of arterioles. Experimental studies have shown that aged or damaged cerebral arterioles lose their responsiveness to vasodilators which presumably activate nitric oxide (EDRF). It is hypothesized that one factor in age associated memory impairment (AAMI) is the failure of the endothelial cells to respond to vasodilators and thus limit the flow of blood to the neuronal system(s) involved in the memory process and thereby degrade its operation. Since it has also been shown that L-arginine will restore the responsiveness of cerebral arterioles to vasodilators and has been effective in correcting other forms of micro-circulatory dysfunction, it is suggested that properly timed administration of L-arginine may be of benefit to those in the early stages of AAMI.