The cerebral vasculature, with its extensive network of arteries, veins, capillaries, and perivascular compartments, constitutes a substantial component of the brain and provides indispensable support to brain cells. In fact, the proper functioning of neurons and neuronal circuits is strongly dependent on continuous oxygen and glucose supply from the blood, and in general, a healthy brain relies on healthy cerebral blood vessels. The cerebral vasculature also presents unique properties that prevent solutes and cells in the blood from non-selectively crossing into the extracellular fluid and the parenchyma of the central nervous system where neurons and other brain cells reside. Moreover, recent findings support a critical role of the paravascular and the intramural periarterial compartments as drainage systems of the brain, with significant implications in terms of pathogenesis and potential therapeutic target for several neurological disorders, especially neurodegenerative diseases.
The main goal of this Research Topic is to increase knowledge of the pathophysiological role played by the cerebral vasculature in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, cerebral small vessel disease, vascular cognitive impairment, and dementia. In recent years, novel neuroimaging methods and technological advancements enabled improvements in the visualization and quantification of the cerebral vasculature and its multiple components, including the perivascular space and the blood-brain barrier. From a clinical point of view, these advancements are important not only for the optimization of the current diagnostic frameworks but also for the identification of early biomarkers for neurodegenerative disease as well as novel therapeutic strategies targeting or utilizing the cerebral vasculature.
In this Research Topic, we will welcome Original Research, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Methods and Brief Research reports, and Short Opinions that investigate the state-of-the-art technologies to image and analyze the cerebral vasculature and aim at advancing the current knowledge of the vascular and perivascular contributions to neurodegenerative disorders, in particular dementia. Preclinical, population-based, and clinical studies are all encouraged. We welcome submissions covering, but not limited to, the following topics:
- Characterization of the vascular and perivascular alterations in neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia.
- Development of novel neuroimaging and/or fluid biomarkers for the evaluation of the cerebral vasculature and the perivascular compartment in neurodegenerative diseases.
- Presentation of advanced imaging modalities for the evaluation of the cerebral vasculature, blood-brain barrier, and perivascular spaces, particularly in the context of neurological disorders
- Investigation of the link between each cerebrovascular component (e.g., blood-brain barrier permeability, blood flow, perivascular space, etc.) and analysis of their specific role in neurodegeneration
- Integration of cerebrovascular imaging with other imaging modalities for the clinical assessment of neurodegenerative diseases
- Exploration of therapeutic strategies involving the cerebral vasculature, blood-brain barrier, perivascular spaces, and lymphatic drainage systems for the prevention and/or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
- Identification of modifying risk factors for cerebral vascular pathology, especially early subclinical changes.
The cerebral vasculature, with its extensive network of arteries, veins, capillaries, and perivascular compartments, constitutes a substantial component of the brain and provides indispensable support to brain cells. In fact, the proper functioning of neurons and neuronal circuits is strongly dependent on continuous oxygen and glucose supply from the blood, and in general, a healthy brain relies on healthy cerebral blood vessels. The cerebral vasculature also presents unique properties that prevent solutes and cells in the blood from non-selectively crossing into the extracellular fluid and the parenchyma of the central nervous system where neurons and other brain cells reside. Moreover, recent findings support a critical role of the paravascular and the intramural periarterial compartments as drainage systems of the brain, with significant implications in terms of pathogenesis and potential therapeutic target for several neurological disorders, especially neurodegenerative diseases.
The main goal of this Research Topic is to increase knowledge of the pathophysiological role played by the cerebral vasculature in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, cerebral small vessel disease, vascular cognitive impairment, and dementia. In recent years, novel neuroimaging methods and technological advancements enabled improvements in the visualization and quantification of the cerebral vasculature and its multiple components, including the perivascular space and the blood-brain barrier. From a clinical point of view, these advancements are important not only for the optimization of the current diagnostic frameworks but also for the identification of early biomarkers for neurodegenerative disease as well as novel therapeutic strategies targeting or utilizing the cerebral vasculature.
In this Research Topic, we will welcome Original Research, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Methods and Brief Research reports, and Short Opinions that investigate the state-of-the-art technologies to image and analyze the cerebral vasculature and aim at advancing the current knowledge of the vascular and perivascular contributions to neurodegenerative disorders, in particular dementia. Preclinical, population-based, and clinical studies are all encouraged. We welcome submissions covering, but not limited to, the following topics:
- Characterization of the vascular and perivascular alterations in neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia.
- Development of novel neuroimaging and/or fluid biomarkers for the evaluation of the cerebral vasculature and the perivascular compartment in neurodegenerative diseases.
- Presentation of advanced imaging modalities for the evaluation of the cerebral vasculature, blood-brain barrier, and perivascular spaces, particularly in the context of neurological disorders
- Investigation of the link between each cerebrovascular component (e.g., blood-brain barrier permeability, blood flow, perivascular space, etc.) and analysis of their specific role in neurodegeneration
- Integration of cerebrovascular imaging with other imaging modalities for the clinical assessment of neurodegenerative diseases
- Exploration of therapeutic strategies involving the cerebral vasculature, blood-brain barrier, perivascular spaces, and lymphatic drainage systems for the prevention and/or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
- Identification of modifying risk factors for cerebral vascular pathology, especially early subclinical changes.
