Update on Amyloid-associated Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Abstract

Cerebral congophilic or amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a clinicopathological entity that is considered a common cause of primary non-traumatic brain hemorrhage 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 hemorrhage (ICH) that may occur in CAA includes: cerebral lobar hemorrhages, deep hemorrhages, purely subarachnoid and subdural hemorrhages 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 hemorrhage; epidemiology, including genetic and other possible risk factors; clinical presentation; diagnosis, including newer imaging modalities; and prospects for prevention and treatment.