Cerebrovascular endothelium can be used to better diagnose and treat Alzheimer's disease
What is it about?
The function of a crucial ion channel (endothelial inward-rectifying K+ channel) that governs blood flow to and throughout the brain is reduced in a sex-independent manner during AD vs. pre-AD pathology in mice.
Why is it important?
The health of the brain parenchyma for homeostasis, physical movement, and cognition is dependent on the ability to extract oxygen and nutrients from blood flowing throughout the brain. A vascular cell type known as the endothelial cell commands multiple central functions (e.g., vascular permeability, blood flow control) to this end. This study demonstrates that key receptors and ion channels of cerebrovascular endothelial cells may or may not change with development of AD pathology in respective biological sexes. Accordingly, we are contributing towards the identification of "cerebrovascular signatures" as another (and perhaps most effective) method for diagnosing and treating AD.