Martins-Filho RK, Zotin MC, Rodrigues G, Pontes-Neto O. Biomarkers Related to Endothelial Dysfunction and Vascular Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review.
Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2021;
49:365-374. [PMID:
33045717 DOI:
10.1159/000510053]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The damage in the endothelium and the neurovascular unit appears to play a key role in the pathogenesis of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). Although there have been many advances in understanding the physiopathology of this disease, several questions remain unanswered. The association with other degenerative diseases and the heterogeneity of its clinical spectrum establish a diagnostic problem, compromising a better comprehension of the pathology and halting the development of effective treatments. The investigation of biomarkers is an important movement to the development of novel explicative models and treatment targets involved in VCI.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE considering the original research based on VCI biomarkers in the past 20 years, following prespecified selection criteria, data extraction, and qualitative synthesis.
RESULTS
We reviewed 42 articles: 16 investigated plasma markers, 17 analyzed neuropathological markers, 4 studied CSF markers, 4 evaluated neuroimaging markers (ultrasound and MRI), and 1 used peripheral Doppler perfusion imaging.
CONCLUSIONS
The biomarkers in these studies suggest an intrinsic relationship between endothelial dysfunction and VCI. Nonetheless, there is still a need for identification of a distinctive set of markers that can integrate the clinical approach of VCI, improve diagnostic accuracy, and support the discovery of alternative therapies.
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