What is cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)?
CAA is a form of amyloidosis that specifically affects the brain. In this condition, a protein called amyloid beta builds up in the walls of blood vessels in the brain and in tissues surrounding it called leptomeninges.
Unlike systemic amyloidosis that can affect multiple organs Show Full Answer
What is cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)?
CAA is a form of amyloidosis that specifically affects the brain. In this condition, a protein called amyloid beta builds up in the walls of blood vessels in the brain and in tissues surrounding it called leptomeninges.
Unlike systemic amyloidosis that can affect multiple organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys, CAA is localized to the brain. People with CAA typically don't have amyloid beta deposits in other organs.
How does CAA affect the brain?
The amyloid deposits weaken blood vessel walls, making them more likely to bleed. These bleeding episodes are called cerebral hemorrhages or hemorrhagic strokes.
Small bleeds (microhemorrhages) may go unnoticed, but larger hemorrhages can cause:
- Sudden confusion
- Stroke-like symptoms
- Problems with thinking and memory
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Difficulty with daily tasks
Who develops CAA?
CAA becomes more common with age. Studies show that between 23-29% of people older than 50 have moderate to severe CAA. Most cases develop spontaneously, though hereditary forms exist (affecting fewer than 1,000 people in the U.S.).
Having a particular version of the APOE gene (epsilon4 allele) increases risk for developing CAA.
Can systemic amyloidosis spread to the brain?
Research on this is limited. One study found people with amyloidosis were about three times more likely to experience brain bleeds compared to the general population, though researchers aren't sure why.
April 11
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