Association between atherosclerosis and increased intima-media thickness of carotid artery with cerebral atrophy: a clinicopathological study

• Grant number: 10/16575-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): January 01, 2011
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Pathological Anatomy and Clinical Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Augusto Gonçalves Pasqualucci
• Grantee: Thiago Ferraz Vieira Pinto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The increased longevity of the world population is a recent phenomenon. In Brazil, in 2050, the population over 60 years will be approximately 29% of the nation.Aging is usually accompanied by an increase of chronic degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. One of the markers of cognitive decline is structural brain atrophy. Some studies have linked brain atrophy with carotid atherosclerosis and reported results based on imaging studies (Magnetic Resonance Image, Computadorized Tomography and Ultrasound). However, these findings may be due to bias secondary to the subjectivity of the observer. Pathologic studies can be an alternative to these limitations, by allowing more accurate assessment of carotid atherosclerosis and cerebral atrophy. Objectives: To investigate the association between atherosclerosis and increased intima media thickness of carotid artery with brain atrophy measures in histological material. Methods: Does the material use of Bank of the Brain Study Group on Brain Aging, FMUSP. Demographics and cardiovascular risk factors were collected through interviews with caregivers of the deceased. Atherosclerosis of carotid arteries and the intima-media thickness were measured using techniques previously morphometry.Weight, volume, density, brain and head circumference were measured directly collected in the brain and are considered indicators of brain atrophy.