Title:Experimental Rodent Models of Vascular Dementia: A Systematic Review
Volume: 20
Issue: 7
Author(s): Nidhi Tiwari, Jyoti Upadhyay, Mohammad Nazam Ansari*, Syed Shadab Raza, Wasim Ahmad and Mohammad Azam Ansari
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj 11942,Saudi Arabia
Keywords:
Angiopathy, CADASIL, dementia, hypoperfusion, homocysteine, Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA).
Abstract: Vascular Dementia (VaD) occurs due to cerebrovascular insufficiency, which leads to
decreased blood circulation to the brain, thereby resulting in mental disabilities. The main causes
of Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI) are severe hypoperfusion, stroke, hypertension, large vessel
disease (cortical), small Vessel Disease (subcortical VaD), strategic infarct, hemorrhage (microbleed),
Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy
(CADASIL), and Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA), which leads to decreased
cerebrovascular perfusion. Many metabolic disorders such as Diabetes Mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia,
and hyperhomocysteinemia are also related to VaD. The rodent experimental models provide
a better prospective for the investigation of the molecular mechanism of new drugs. A plethora
of experimental models are available that mimic the pathological conditions and lead to VaD.
This review article updates the current knowledge on the basis of VaD, risk factors, pathophysiology,
mechanism, advantages, limitations, and the modification of various available rodent experimental
models.
