PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Andreas Charidimou
AU  - Qiang Gang
AU  - David J Werring
TI  - Sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy revisited: recent insights into pathophysiology and clinical spectrum
AID  - 10.1136/jnnp-2011-301308
DP  - 2012 Feb 01
TA  - Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
PG  - 124--137
VI  - 83
IP  - 2
4099  - http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/83/2/124.short
4100  - http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/83/2/124.full
SO  - J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry2012 Feb 01; 83
AB  - Sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common age related cerebral small vessel disease, characterised by progressive deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the wall of small to medium sized arteries, arterioles and capillaries of the cerebral cortex and overlying leptomeninges. Previously considered to be a rare neurological curiosity, CAA is now recognised as an important cause of spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage and cognitive impairment in the elderly, two fundamental challenges in the field of cerebrovascular disease. Our understanding of the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of CAA continues to evolve rapidly, with the use of transgenic mouse models and advanced structural and/or molecular neuroimaging techniques. Yet, despite remarkable recent interest, CAA remains under-recognised by neurologists and stroke physicians. In this review, a fresh look at key developments in understanding the complex pathophysiology, important clinical and radiological features, diagnostic approaches and prospects for rational therapies for this enigmatic small vessel disorder is provided.