ABSTRACT

In this chapter, we will review current evidence regarding the connection between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders. The purpose of this review is to consider the role of vascular factors in AD by providing a background on vascular disease, diagnostic considerations in dementia, common pathologies of AD and cerebrovascular disease (CVD), vascular risk factors for AD observed in epidemiologic studies, the vascular pathogenesis of AD, and, finally, how AD may stimulate vascular disease.