cerebral amyloid angiopathy
Pronunciation: AM-ih-loyd an-jee-AH-pah-thee
Also written as: CAA — cerebral amyloid angiopathy
Vascular disorder caused by amyloid protein deposition in brain blood vessels, associated with lobar hemorrhages.
Full Definition
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a cerebrovascular disorder characterized by the progressive deposition of amyloid-beta protein in the walls of cortical and leptomeningeal arteries and arterioles. This condition is strongly associated with aging and Alzheimer's disease. CAA predisposes patients to spontaneous lobar intracerebral hemorrhages, particularly in the frontal and parietal regions. On neuroimaging, CAA may present as multiple microbleeds in a strictly lobar distribution and is associated with cortical superficial siderosis.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from other forms of cerebrovascular disease in editorial contexts.
In Context
- "The distribution of microbleeds suggests cerebral amyloid angiopathy rather than hypertensive microangiopathy." — Neuroradiology report
- "Cerebral amyloid angiopathy should be considered in elderly patients with recurrent lobar hemorrhages." — Clinical assessment