Intracranial artery calcifications: Histology, risk factors and clinical relevance

Abstract

This dissertation is about the presence and consequences of calcifications in the head. We investigated calcifications in the carotid artery siphon, the basilar artery and calcifications deep in the brain tissue; the basal ganglia and the hippocampus. The basal ganglia are important for controlling movements and influencing emotions and cognition. The hippocampus is an area of the brain that is important for storing information and thus memory. We concluded that calcifications in the brain are common in elderly patients and that they are located in the blood vessels. Calcifications in the basal ganglia and the hippocampus are located in the tunica media of a blood vessel. These calcifications are not related to atherosclerosis, but they are related to diabetes mellitus and older age. Prevention and adequate treatment of diabetes may influence the development of these calcifications. Calcifications in the siphon and basilar artery are located in the tunica intima of a blood vessel and are related to atherosclerosis. Prevention and treatment of risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as hypertension, smoking, high cholesterol and diabetes mellitus may influence the development of these calcifications. In the siphon, calcifications are also located in the tunica media of a blood vessel. Our studies do not support a link between calcifications in the brain and cognition. Further research should focus on the importance and treatment options of calcifications in the brain.