Update on Amyloid-associated Intracerebral Haemorrhage

Abstract

Cerebral congophilic or amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a clinicopathological entity that is considered a common cause of primary non-traumatic brain haemorrhage in the elderly. CAA is frequently associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and has become a primary focus of scientific inquiry. The spectrum of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) that may occur in CAA includes: cerebral lobar haemorrhages, deep haemorrhages, purely subarachnoid and subdural haemorrhages and cerebral microbleeds. CAA is also associated with microinfarcts, leukoencephalopathy and superficial siderosis. This brief article will provide an update on the advances in our understanding of CAA-associated ICH with a focus on the following topics: neuropathology and mechanism of CAA-related haemorrhage; epidemiology, including genetic and other possible risk factors; clinical presentation; diagnosis, including newer imaging modalities; and prospects for prevention and treatment.