The Pathophysiology and Clinical Presentation of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is defined as the deposition of amyloid peptide within leptomeningial and cortical vessels, likely reflecting an imbalance between A beta production and clearance. Amyloid buildup triggers a series of destructive alterations in the cerebral vascular architecture, leading to a spectrum of neurological events including lobar intracerebral hemorrhage, brain ischemia and cognitive decline. Although traditionally diagnosed pathologically, neuroimaging has taken a central role in defining CAA. This review will discuss the pathological, clinical and radiological aspects of CAA.