Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is a neurological condition in which amyloid protein builds up on the walls of the arteries in the brain. The condition increases one's risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
Alternative NamesAmyloidosis - cerebral; CAA
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe cause of cerebral amyloid angiopathy is unknown. Persons with this condition have deposits of amyloid protein in the walls of the brain arteries. The protein is usually not deposited anywhere else in the body.
The major risk factor is increasing age. The rate of the condition is much greater in those older than 60.
SymptomsCerebral amyloid angiopathy can cause bleeding into the brain, usually in the outer parts of the brain, called the lobes, and not the deep areas. Symptoms occur because bleeding in the brain harms brain tissue. If there is a lot of bleeding, immediate symptoms occur and resemble a stroke. Such symptoms include:
Some bleeds are very small and occur in different parts of the brain over many months. Symptoms can include:
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is difficult to diagnose until after death, when a biopsy of the blood vessels of the brain can be done.
A physical exam can be relatively normal if you have a small bleed, but you may show some brain function changes. Your symptoms and the the results of your physical exam and any imaging tests may cause your doctor to suspect this problem.
A CT scan or MRI of the head may show:
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the brain can help with the diagnosis of large bleeds and may be used to rule out arteriovenous malformationor aneurysm as the cause of the bleed.
TreatmentThere is no known effective treatment. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms. In some cases, rehabilitation is needed for weakness or clumsiness. This can include physical, occupational, or speech therapy.
Occasionally, some patients may benefit from medications that help improve memory, such as those used to treat Alzheimer's disease.
Expectations (prognosis)The disorder slowly gets worse but varies from person to person.
ComplicationsGo to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have a sudden loss of movement, sensation, vision, or speech.
ReferencesKinnecom C, Lev MH, Wendell L, et al. Course of cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation. Neurology. 2007 Apr 24;68(17):1411-6.
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is a neurological condition in which proteins called amyloid build up on the walls of the arteries in the brain. The condition increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke and dementia.
Alternative NamesAmyloidosis - cerebral; CAA
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe cause of cerebral amyloid angiopathy is unknown. Persons with this condition have deposits of amyloid protein in the walls of the brain arteries. The protein is usually not deposited anywhere else in the body.
The major risk factor is increasing age. The rate of the condition is much greater in those older than 60.
SymptomsCerebral amyloid angiopathy can cause bleeding into the brain, usually in the outer parts of the brain, called the lobes, and not the deep areas. Symptoms occur because bleeding in the brain harms brain tissue. If there is a lot of bleeding, immediate symptoms occur and resemble a stroke. Such symptoms include:
Other symptoms can include:
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is difficult to diagnose with certainty without a sample of brain tissue. This is usually done after death or when a biopsy of the blood vessels of the brain is done.
A physical exam can be relatively normal if you have a small bleed, but you may show some brain function changes. It is important for the doctor to ask detailed questions about your medical history. Your symptoms and the results of your physical exam and any imaging tests may cause your doctor to suspect this problem.
A CT scan or MRI of the head may show:
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the brain can help with the diagnosis of large bleeds and may be used to rule out arteriovenous malformationor aneurysm as the cause of the bleed.
Another type of MRI scan can help show tiny areas where blood has escaped from blood vessels into brain tissue.
TreatmentThere is no known effective treatment. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms. In some cases, rehabilitation is needed for weakness or clumsiness. This can include physical, occupational, or speech therapy.
Occasionally, some patients may benefit from medications that help improve memory, such as those used to treat Alzheimer's disease.
Seizures, sometimes called “amyloid spells,†may be treated with anticonvulsants such as phenytoin (Dilantin) and carbamazepine (Tegretol).
Expectations (prognosis)The disorder slowly gets worse but varies from person to person.
ComplicationsGo to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have a sudden loss of movement, sensation, vision, or speech.
ReferencesKinnecom C, Lev MH, Wendell L, et al. Course of cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation. Neurology. 2007;68:1411-1416.
Zivin JA. Hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 432.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 08/27/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is also known as congophilic angiopathy or cerebrovascular amyloidosis.
The average age of onset for cerebral amyloid angiopathy is around 60-70 years old. However, onset can occur earlier in some cases, particularly in individuals with genetic predispositions or underlying health conditions.
The most common form of CAA is the sporadic form associated with aging. This type of CAA usually causes lobar hemorrhage, which may recur in different lobes of the brain.
No. The most common cause of intracerebral hemorrhage is high blood pressure (hypertension).
CAA may be found during an autopsy in over one-third of persons over age 60, even though they may not have had brain hemorrhage, stroke, or other manifestations of the disease during life.
The acronym CAA may stand for Canadian Automobile Association Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (brain blood vessel disease) Civil Aviation Authority (UK) Civil Aeronautics Administration (Taiwan) Clean Air Act (US 1963) Colonial Athletic Association (NCAA schools)
autosomal dominant, with a mutation involving the amyloid precursor protein. Symptoms include brain hemorrhage or dementia.
An amyloid is a waxy compound of protein and polysaccharides which is found deposited in tissues in amyloidosis.
A disorder marked by deposition of amyloid in the body. a rare disease which causes the build-up of amyloid, a protein, & starch, it can get in tissues and organs.
Blood and urine test
Amyloid proteins are manufactured by malfunctioning bone marrow. Amyloidosis, which occurs when accumulated amyloid deposits impair normal body function, can cause organ failure or death.
Dankwart Stiller has written: 'Histochemistry of amyloid' -- subject(s): Amyloid, Amyloidosis, Analysis, Cytologic Diagnosis, Electron microscope, Histochemistry, Ultrastructure (Biology)