Exploring the intersection of atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease: the role of inflammation and complement activation

BackgroundAtherosclerosis (AS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are both multifactorial in nature and share many risk factors. Vascular dementia and AD may occur together, and a substantial proportion of AD cases also have signs of cardiovascular disease, a relationship well-established by cohort studies. The risk factors could contribute to persistent smoldering inflammation, including activation of complement at sites of endothelial injury and/or by accumulation of molecular aggregates.MethodsTo examine the possible bridging points between AD and AS, we constructed a comprehensive narrative review.ResultsA connecting point between AD and AS is inflammation. Contrary to prior assumptions, a significant linkage exists between systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation. Activities of complement, a key effector of innate immunity, are of special interest in the pathogenesis of both diseases.ConclusionAS and AD share a partially overlapping array of pathophysiological mechanisms.