Learn About Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a condition in which proteins called amyloid build up on the walls of the arteries in the brain. CAA causes bleeding into the brain (hemorrhagic stroke) and dementia.
Amyloidosis - cerebral; CAA; Congophilic angiopathy
People with CAA have deposits of amyloid protein in the walls of blood vessels in the brain. The protein is usually not deposited anywhere else in the body.
The major risk factor is increasing age. CAA is more often seen in people older than 55. Sometimes, it is passed down through families.
CAA can cause bleeding into the brain. Bleeding often occurs in the outer parts of the brain, called the cortex, and not the deep areas. Symptoms occur because bleeding in the brain harms brain tissue. Some people have gradual memory problems. When a CT scan is done, there are often signs that they have had bleeding in the brain that they may not have realized.
If there is a lot of bleeding, immediate symptoms occur and resemble a stroke. These symptoms include:
- Drowsiness
- Headache (usually in a certain part of the head)
- Nervous system changes that may start suddenly, including confusion, delirium, double vision, decreased vision, sensation changes, speech problems, weakness, or paralysis
- Seizures
- Stupor or coma (rarely)
- Vomiting
If bleeding is not severe or widespread, symptoms can include:
- Episodes of confusion
- Headaches that come and go
- Loss of mental function (dementia)
- Weakness or unusual sensations that come and go, and involve smaller areas
- Seizures
There is no known effective treatment. The goal of treatment is to reduce risk by modifying risk factors, such as hypertension, and to relieve symptoms. In some cases, rehabilitation is needed for weakness or clumsiness. This can include physical, occupational, or speech therapy.
Sometimes, medicines that help improve memory, such as those for Alzheimer disease, are used.
Seizures, also called amyloid spells, may be treated with anti-seizure medicines.
Massachusetts General Physicians Organization Inc
Mahmut Gurol is a Neurologist in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Gurol and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy. His top areas of expertise are Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Primary Amyloidosis, Siderosis, and Stroke. Dr. Gurol is currently accepting new patients.
Gregoire Boulouis practices in Tours, France. Boulouis and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy. His top areas of expertise are Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Siderosis, Stroke, Thrombectomy, and Stent Placement.
Nicolas Raposo practices in Toulouse, France. Raposo and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy. His top areas of expertise are Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Siderosis, Primary Amyloidosis, Thrombectomy, and Craniectomy.
The disorder slowly gets worse.
Complications of CAA may include:
- Dementia
- Hydrocephalus (rarely)
- Seizures
- Repeated episodes of bleeding in the brain
Go to the emergency room or call 911 or the local emergency number if you have sudden loss of movement, sensation, vision, or speech.
Summary: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), caused by amyloid beta depositions in the walls of small cerebral vessels, is remarkably common in the elderly. Its major clinical consequences include intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH) typically in lobar location, functional dependence (disability) and cognitive impairment. Cortical superficial siderosis (cSS) is a common finding in CAA patients and can even be th...
Summary: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of ALN-APP on measures of CAA disease progression and to characterize the safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamics (PD) of ALN-APP in adult patients with sporadic CAA (sCAA) and Dutch-type CAA (D-CAA). The study will be conducted over 2 periods: a 24-month double-blind treatment period and an optional 18-month open-label extension (OLE) period. ...
Published Date: June 13, 2024
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Polster SP, Carrión-Penagos J, Awad IA. Nonlesional spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 423.
Shoamanesh A, Kase CS. Intracerebral hemorrhage. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 66.