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Current opinion in lipidology
02 01, 2022;33 (1): 31-38.

Fatty liver and cerebrovascular disease: plausible association and possible mechanisms.

Sahil Khanna, Neal S Parikh, Lisa B VanWagner
Author Information
  1. Sahil Khanna: Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
  2. Neal S Parikh: Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute and Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine.
  3. Lisa B VanWagner: Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
PMID: 34799486 DOI: 10.1097/MOL.0000000000000799

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Nonalcoholic Fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common comorbidity and has wide ranging extrahepatic manifestations, including through cardiometabolic pathways. As such, there is growing interest in the impact of NAFLD on cerebrovascular disease and brain health more broadly. In this review, we assess recent research into understanding the association between NAFLD and brain health while highlighting potential clinical implications.
RECENT FINDINGS: Mechanistically, NAFLD is characterized by both a proinflammatory and proatherogenic state, which results in vascular inflammation and neurodegeneration, potentially leading to clinical and subclinical cerebrovascular disease. Mounting epidemiological evidence suggests an association between NAFLD and an increased risk and severity of stroke, independent of other vascular risk factors. Studies also implicate NAFLD in subclinical cerebrovascular disease, such as carotid atherosclerosis and microvascular disease. In contrast, there does not appear to be an independent association between NAFLD and cognitive impairment.
SUMMARY: The current literature supports the formulation of NAFLD as a multisystem disease that may also have implications for cerebrovascular disease and brain health. Further prospective studies are needed to better assess a temporal relationship between the two diseases, confirm these early findings, and decipher mechanistic links.

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Grants

  1. K23 AG073524/NIA NIH HHS
  2. K23 HL136891/NHLBI NIH HHS

MeSH Term

Brain
Carotid Artery Diseases
Cerebrovascular Disorders
Humans
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Risk Factors
Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review
Article has an altmetric score of 3

Word Cloud

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