Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability Is Associated With Cognitive Functioning in Normal Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability and cognitive functioning in healthy older adults and individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. Methods and Results A total of 124 participants with Alzheimer disease, cerebrova...

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Main Authors: Danielle C. Hergert, Owen Gaasedelen, Sephira G. Ryman, Jillian Prestopnik, Arvind Caprihan, Gary A. Rosenberg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-07-01
Series:Journal of the American Heart Association: Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease
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Online Access:https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.124.034225
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author Danielle C. Hergert
Owen Gaasedelen
Sephira G. Ryman
Jillian Prestopnik
Arvind Caprihan
Gary A. Rosenberg
author_facet Danielle C. Hergert
Owen Gaasedelen
Sephira G. Ryman
Jillian Prestopnik
Arvind Caprihan
Gary A. Rosenberg
author_sort Danielle C. Hergert
collection DOAJ
description Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability and cognitive functioning in healthy older adults and individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. Methods and Results A total of 124 participants with Alzheimer disease, cerebrovascular disease, or a mix Alzheimer's and cerebrovascular diseases and 55 controlparticipants underwent magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological testing. BBB permeability was measured with dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and white matter injury was measured using a quantitative diffusion‐tensor imaging marker of white matter injury. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships between BBB permeability, vascular risk burden, white matter injury, and cognitive functioning. Vascular risk burden predicted BBB permeability (r=0.24, P<0.05) and white matter injury (r=0.38, P<0.001). BBB permeability predicted increased white matter injury (r=0.34, P<0.001) and increased white matter injury predicted lower cognitive functioning (r=−0.51, P<0.001). Conclusions The study provides empirical support for a vascular contribution to white matter injury and cognitive impairment, directly or indirectly via BBB permeability. This highlights the importance of targeting modifiable vascular risk factors to help mitigate future cognitive decline.
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spelling doaj-art-fa7fe878d8c94be0806e51f74706c70d2025-08-20T03:10:10ZengWileyJournal of the American Heart Association: Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease2047-99802024-07-01131410.1161/JAHA.124.034225Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability Is Associated With Cognitive Functioning in Normal Aging and Neurodegenerative DiseasesDanielle C. Hergert0Owen Gaasedelen1Sephira G. Ryman2Jillian Prestopnik3Arvind Caprihan4Gary A. Rosenberg5US Department of Energy (Contractor), Kirtland Air Force Base Albuquerque NM USAIndependent Practice Albuquerque NM USAThe Mind Research Network/Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute Albuquerque NM USACenter for Memory &amp; Aging University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Albuquerque NM USAThe Mind Research Network/Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute Albuquerque NM USACenter for Memory &amp; Aging University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Albuquerque NM USABackground The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability and cognitive functioning in healthy older adults and individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. Methods and Results A total of 124 participants with Alzheimer disease, cerebrovascular disease, or a mix Alzheimer's and cerebrovascular diseases and 55 controlparticipants underwent magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological testing. BBB permeability was measured with dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and white matter injury was measured using a quantitative diffusion‐tensor imaging marker of white matter injury. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships between BBB permeability, vascular risk burden, white matter injury, and cognitive functioning. Vascular risk burden predicted BBB permeability (r=0.24, P<0.05) and white matter injury (r=0.38, P<0.001). BBB permeability predicted increased white matter injury (r=0.34, P<0.001) and increased white matter injury predicted lower cognitive functioning (r=−0.51, P<0.001). Conclusions The study provides empirical support for a vascular contribution to white matter injury and cognitive impairment, directly or indirectly via BBB permeability. This highlights the importance of targeting modifiable vascular risk factors to help mitigate future cognitive decline.https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.124.034225Alzheimer diseaseblood–brain barriermixed dementiavascular cognitive impairmentvascular risk factors
spellingShingle Danielle C. Hergert
Owen Gaasedelen
Sephira G. Ryman
Jillian Prestopnik
Arvind Caprihan
Gary A. Rosenberg
Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability Is Associated With Cognitive Functioning in Normal Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Journal of the American Heart Association: Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease
Alzheimer disease
blood–brain barrier
mixed dementia
vascular cognitive impairment
vascular risk factors
title Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability Is Associated With Cognitive Functioning in Normal Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases
title_full Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability Is Associated With Cognitive Functioning in Normal Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases
title_fullStr Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability Is Associated With Cognitive Functioning in Normal Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases
title_full_unstemmed Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability Is Associated With Cognitive Functioning in Normal Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases
title_short Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability Is Associated With Cognitive Functioning in Normal Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases
title_sort blood brain barrier permeability is associated with cognitive functioning in normal aging and neurodegenerative diseases
topic Alzheimer disease
blood–brain barrier
mixed dementia
vascular cognitive impairment
vascular risk factors
url https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.124.034225
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