Might Amyloid Plaques Accumulate in the Heart?

A preliminary study finds some links between Alzheimer disease and myocardial function.

Heart failure (HF) and Alzheimer disease (AD) commonly occur in elderly individuals, and some investigators have hypothesized that the two conditions have a common pathogenesis. Researchers in a retrospective, cross-sectional study have now investigated cardiac differences between AD and non-AD patients and the presence of amyloid plaques in the hearts of AD patients, as amyloid plaques in the brain is one of the hallmarks of AD.

In a study of 22 patients with AD and 35 controls, matched by sex, age, and ethnicity, clinical assessment of myocardial function showed few significant between-group differences. Diastolic dysfunction was found in the AD patients. In an analysis stratifying participants by age (<65, 65–80, and >80), AD was signific…

Reviewing Author

Joel M. Gore, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH–National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Joel M. Gore, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH–National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Might Amyloid Plaques Accumulate in the Heart?

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Reviewing Author