Morphometry of the hippocampal microvasculature in post-stroke and age-related dementias.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Optimal vascular function is vital for prevention of dementia. We hypothesized that elderly post-stroke survivors who preserve cognitive function show unperturbed cerebral microvasculature compared with those who develop dementia.

Methods

Using stereological spherical probe software, we compared the length density (Lv, cumulative vessel length per unit tissue volume) of hippocampal microvessels in post mortem brain tissue from post-stroke survivors, Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD) and normal ageing control subjects. We also assessed microvessel diameters in the same subjects. Microvessels were identified by markers of endothelial cells (glucose transporter 1; GLUT1), basement membrane (collagen IV; COL4) and smooth muscle cell α-actin (SMA).

R

SUBMITTER: Burke MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4282329 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature