cerebral amyloid angiopathy
Pronunciation: ser-EE-bral AM-ih-loyd an-jee-OP-ah-thee
Deposition of amyloid protein in the walls of brain blood vessels, associated with hemorrhagic stroke.
Full Definition
A condition characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-beta protein in the walls of small to medium-sized arteries and arterioles in the brain. This deposition weakens vessel walls and predisposes to lobar intracerebral hemorrhages, particularly in elderly patients. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is commonly seen in conjunction with Alzheimer's disease but can occur independently. The diagnosis is often made post-mortem through neuropathological examination, though clinical criteria exist for probable CAA based on imaging patterns.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as CAA; emphasize distinction from other forms of angiopathy.
In Context
- "Congo red staining revealed extensive cerebral amyloid angiopathy in cortical vessels." — autopsy report
- "CAA-related hemorrhages typically occur in lobar locations." — radiology-pathology correlation