Cooperation between neurovascular dysfunction and Aß in Alzheimer's disease.

The amyloid-ß (Aß) hypothesis was once believed to represent the pathogenic process of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, with the failure of clinical drug development and the increasing understanding of the disease, the Aß hypothesis has been challenged. Numerous recent investigations have demonstrated that the vascular system plays a significant role in the course of AD, with vascular damage occurring prior to the deposition of Aß and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). The question of how Aß relates to neurovascular function and which is the trigger for AD has recently come into sharp focus. In this review, we outline the various vascular dysfunctions associated with AD, including changes in vascular hemodynamics, vascular cell function, vascular coverage, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. We reviewed the most recent findings about the complicated Aß-neurovascular unit (NVU) interaction and highlighted its vital importance to understanding disease pathophysiology. Vascular defects may lead to Aß deposition, neurotoxicity, glial cell activation, and metabolic dysfunction; In contrast, Aß and oxidative stress can aggravate vascular damage, forming a vicious cycle loop.