Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is considered one of the leading causes of brain damage and permanent disability, affecting over 13 million people worldwide each year. Large-vessel (e.g. carotid, vertebral arteries), cardioembolic and small-vessel disease appear the most common substrates of vascular brain injury. Underlying cerebrovascular pathology is frequent in the general population and has been associated with poorer cognition and self-reported subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Moreover, older adults with a history of vascular pathologies have an increased risk of vascular mild cognitive impairment (VaMCI) and dementia. Nevertheless, although CVD is the second leading cause of cognitive impairment and dementia, the epidemiology and characteristics of vascular-related cognitive impairment are less understood compared with other forms of dementia.
The study of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) has been conditioned by the heterogeneity of CVD and associated cognitive symptoms, which are highly dependent on the lesion location. Another important source of heterogeneity is based on the sociodemographic and clinical features that can modulate vascular-related cognitive impairment. The overall objective of the present Research Topic is to focus on VCI with special emphasis on pre-dementia stages. In particular, the aim of this Research Topic is to study the neuropsychological profile of the vascular-related cognitive changes from normal aging to dementia. Thus, we aim to compile research studies focused on the multiple risk factors (e.g. hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia) and underlying causes of CVD and its cerebral hemodynamic alterations (i.e. carotid stenosis, cardioembolic, small-vessel or peripheral artery disease).
The present Research Topic may include cross-sectional and longitudinal studies focused on the characterization of vascular-related cognitive changes, with special interest in neuropsychological profiling and CVD markers (e.g. neuroimaging, clinicopathological). Original Research or Brief Research Reports will be acceptable. Perspective, Opinion and Review articles related to the topic will also be welcome. Specific themes include but are not limited/restricted to: minor cognitive deficits in individuals with vascular-related cognitive decline in aging, subjective cognitive decline, frailty, and cognitive impairment (MCI, dementia).
Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is considered one of the leading causes of brain damage and permanent disability, affecting over 13 million people worldwide each year. Large-vessel (e.g. carotid, vertebral arteries), cardioembolic and small-vessel disease appear the most common substrates of vascular brain injury. Underlying cerebrovascular pathology is frequent in the general population and has been associated with poorer cognition and self-reported subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Moreover, older adults with a history of vascular pathologies have an increased risk of vascular mild cognitive impairment (VaMCI) and dementia. Nevertheless, although CVD is the second leading cause of cognitive impairment and dementia, the epidemiology and characteristics of vascular-related cognitive impairment are less understood compared with other forms of dementia.
The study of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) has been conditioned by the heterogeneity of CVD and associated cognitive symptoms, which are highly dependent on the lesion location. Another important source of heterogeneity is based on the sociodemographic and clinical features that can modulate vascular-related cognitive impairment. The overall objective of the present Research Topic is to focus on VCI with special emphasis on pre-dementia stages. In particular, the aim of this Research Topic is to study the neuropsychological profile of the vascular-related cognitive changes from normal aging to dementia. Thus, we aim to compile research studies focused on the multiple risk factors (e.g. hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia) and underlying causes of CVD and its cerebral hemodynamic alterations (i.e. carotid stenosis, cardioembolic, small-vessel or peripheral artery disease).
The present Research Topic may include cross-sectional and longitudinal studies focused on the characterization of vascular-related cognitive changes, with special interest in neuropsychological profiling and CVD markers (e.g. neuroimaging, clinicopathological). Original Research or Brief Research Reports will be acceptable. Perspective, Opinion and Review articles related to the topic will also be welcome. Specific themes include but are not limited/restricted to: minor cognitive deficits in individuals with vascular-related cognitive decline in aging, subjective cognitive decline, frailty, and cognitive impairment (MCI, dementia).