The pathophysiology and clinical presentation of cerebral amyloid angiopathy

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is defined as the deposition of amyloid ß peptide within leptomeningial and cortical vessels, likely reflecting an imbalance between Aß production and clearance. Amyloid buildup triggers a series of destructive alterations in the cerebral vascular architecture, leading to a spectrum of neurological events including lobar intracerebral hemorrhage, brain ischemia and cognitive decline. Although traditionally diagnosed pathologically, neuroimaging has taken a central role in defining CAA. This review will discuss the pathological, clinical and radiological aspects of CAA.