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This is important. Probably all here have endothelial dysfunction. It almost a universal part of aging (and many medical conditions). This study looked at something called Flow-Mediated-Dilation, or FMD.In conclusion, our study demonstrates that vitamin D deficiency is common and is associated with endothelial function, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in PD. Vitamin D supplementation is simple cheap, and may reverse endothelial dysfunction.
Slowed cerebral perfusion is created by a cascade of events which fall under the heading of "endothelial dysfunction". Dying endothelial cells deposit microparticles in blood, which cause hypercoagulation, oxidative stress and slow flow. Blood vessels do not get enough nitric oxide from remaining endothelial cells, and they close down (and sometimes die). Shear stress is slowed, which continues death of cells. Slowed flow is delivering less O2 and glucose to neurons, and they begin to die. The blood brain barrier becomes permeable, as endothelial cells no longer maintain tight junctions. It's a nasty cycle of death and destruction.1eye wrote:Is it true that slowed perfusion must be due to too much shrinking (contraction), not dilation, if it is caused by endothelium dysfunction? I have also seen mention of complete die-off of capillaries in MS. Seems to me that would also hinder perfusion big-time...