Basilar artery dilatation relates to Alzheimer dementia, particularly among APOE4 non‐carriers

Abstract Background Brain arterial dilatation has been associated with higher risk of dementia and cognitive decline in population‐based studies. Whether the association is related to brain amyloid or tau, pathological hallmarks Alzheimer disease, uncertain. Method We analyzed existing de novo data from Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) regarding participants’ demographics, hypertension, status, APOE4 genotype. used composite PET measures gray matter regions beta (AV‐45) neurofibrillary tangles (AV‐1451). obtain cross‐sectional carotid basilar artery diameters using axial T2 MRI sequences. For outcomes, we Alzheimer's Assessment Scale–Cognitive Subscale (ADAS‐Cog) clinical rating (ordinal CDR) scores. All models were adjusted for age, sex, years education, carrier status hypertension Result included 478 ADNI participants (56% men, mean age 77±7, 36% cognitively normal, 48 mild impartment 16% dementia). Combined not ADAS‐13 cog score (B=0.07 per SD, P=0.46), ordinal CDR (B=0.13, P=0.32), (B=‐0.001, P=0.57) tau (B=0.02, P=0.45). Stratifying by anterior versus posterior circulation showed that diameters, but a (B=0.17, P=0.01), (0.25, P=0.009), (B=0.01, P=0.46). The between was stronger among non‐carriers (B=0.37, P=0.004) than carriers (B=0.05, P=0.70, P interaction 0.12). Conclusion poorer negative participants. Investigation how relates whether such relationship interacts and/or may reveal novel aspects vascular contributions dementia.