Fat, diet, and intracranial atherosclerosis

Abstract

Atherosclerosis in the cerebral vasculature is a major risk factor for death and disability. However, atherosclerosis has been primarily studied in the coronary vasculature despite the distinct characteristics of the brain′s vessel morphometry and biochemistry. Recent preclinical work has established a rat model for studying intracranial atherosclerosis to optimize pharmacologic and lifestyle changes to prevent or reverse this disease. One such preventative strategy utilizes dietary omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs), which have gained public interest due to its potential application in various diseases. A large number of studies of O3FA have examined the basic scientific framework, and this article examines its role as a dietary supplement to prevent the development of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.

Keywords

• Basilar artery
• CD68
• high cholesterol diet
• internal carotid artery
• intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis
• middle cerebral artery
• NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester
• stroke