Microvascular and blood-brain barrier dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease: New insights from quantitative magnetic resonance imaging

Cerebral microvascular abnormalities play a key role in people with Alzheimer’s disease. The condition of these small blood vessels can be assessed by means of an MRI scan with contrast. It is shown that there is a minor but measurable contrast leakage from the blood circulation into the brain. The so-called blood-brain barrier should ensure that the contrast agent remains within the blood circulation. The leakage observed is a sign, therefore, that this barrier is damaged in Alzheimer’s disease – even in people who show no signs of vascular damage at first sight.