The following is a summary of “Intracranial Atherosclerosis Disease Associated With Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis,” published in the November 2023 issue of Cardiology by Sabayan et al.
This systematic review delves into the relationship between intracranial atherosclerosis disease (ICAD) and cognitive impairment, aiming to discern the existing evidence on this association. The study extensively searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science from 2000 to 2023, encompassing cross-sectional and prospective cohort studies alongside postmortem analyses.
Among 22 distinct studies, inclusive of 17 observational and 5 postmortem investigations, involving 11,184 individuals, a substantial connection between ICAD (defined as at least 50% stenosis in a single intracranial vessel) and cognitive impairment or dementia was observed. The pooled analysis across these studies revealed a notable association, indicating higher cognitive impairment among individuals with ICAD, with significant findings in 7 of 10 cross-sectional and 5 of 7 prospective studies.
Furthermore, postmortem analyses consistently demonstrated elevated ICAD burden in patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia in comparison to controls. The study’s outcomes emphasize the potential need for tailored preventive strategies for dementia in individuals diagnosed with ICAD, irrespective of age, sex, or race.