New Classifications for Vascular Dementia Could Unlock Treatment Advances
Researchers have proposed new categorizations for vascular dementia, a common but understudied form of the disease, potentially paving the way for more targeted treatments and a deeper understanding of its connection to Alzheimer’s disease and environmental factors.
Neuropathologist Elaine Bearer from the University of New Mexico has led a review identifying unique pathologies – biological changes in tissues and organs – associated with different types of vascular dementia. Her team’s novel microscopy method revealed the presence of nano- and microplastics in the brains of individuals with the condition, suggesting a possible trigger or exacerbating factor. “We have been flying blind,” Bearer stated. “The various vascular pathologies have not been comprehensively defined, so we haven’t known what we’re treating.”
The study, published in the American Journal of Pathology, analyzed chemical staining of cerebral blood vessels from individuals who died with dementia, identifying processes like artery thickening, small bleeds, and tiny strokes. Interestingly, some of these pathologies overlap with those seen in Alzheimer’s disease, specifically the presence of abnormal amyloid beta proteins, prompting further investigation into the relationship between the two conditions. Bearer noted a correlation between the amount of plastics found in the brain and the severity of dementia, stating, “What I’m finding is that there’s a lot more plastics in [people with dementia] than in normal subjects.”
Vascular dementia, first recognized in the late 19th century, has received less research attention than other forms of dementia, but this new framework offers a way to approach the disease’s variations and potentially identify why some individuals are more vulnerable. Researchers plan to use these classifications in future studies to explore the link between blood vessel damage and disease progression, ultimately hoping to develop more effective interventions.
Bearer and her team will continue to investigate the role of microplastics in brain pathology and explore the implications for current understanding of dementia.
