Vascular dementia: A microglia's perspective

Yi Yang; Xinyuan Zhao; Zirui Zhu; Lihui Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.arr.2022.101734

Vascular dementia: A microglia's perspective

Ageing Res Rev. 2022 Nov:81:101734. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101734. Epub 2022 Sep 14.

Authors

Yi Yang¹, Xinyuan Zhao², Zirui Zhu², Lihui Zhang³

Affiliations

¹ School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Hangzhou Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China. Electronic address: yyang@hznu.edu.cn.
² School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Hangzhou Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China.
³ School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Hangzhou Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China. Electronic address: lhzhang@hznu.edu.cn.

PMID: 36113763
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101734

Abstract

Vascular dementia (VaD) is a second most common form of age-related dementia. It is characterized by cognitive impairment associated with vascular pathology, symptoms mainly caused by cerebral damage due to inadequate blood flow to the brain. The pathogenesis of VaD is complex, and a growing body of literature emphasizes on the involvement of microglia in disease development and progression. Here, we review the current knowledge on the role of microglia in regulating neuroinflammation under the pathogenesis of VaD. The commonly used animal and cell models for understanding the disease pathogenesis were summarized. The mechanisms by which microglia contribute to VaD are multifactorial, and we specifically focus on some of the predominant functions of microglia, including chemotaxis, secretory property, phagocytosis, and its crosstalk with other neurovascular unit cells. Finally, potential therapeutic strategies targeting microglia-modulated neuroinflammation are discussed.

Keywords: Hypoperfusion; Microglia; Neuroinflammation; Vascular dementia.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Brain / pathology
Cognitive Dysfunction* / etiology
Dementia, Vascular* / etiology
Humans
Microglia / pathology