The large and small blood vessels of the body are responsible for the circulation of blood, oxygen and nutrients to the brain and tissues of the body. Diseases of the small blood vessels in the brain results in a eduction in the flow of blood to the brain as well as the exchange of nutrients and oxygen, resulting in ischemia in the affected area of the brain. Individuals with diseases affecting the small vessels of the brain are at a higher risk of developing a stroke, thrombosis or aneurysm in the brain.
Cerebral Aneurysm
The small blood vessels of the brain can become clogged with fatty build as a result of atherosclerosis. Artherosclerosis is classified as a disease of the vascular system. When it affects the small blood vessels of the brain, artherosclerosis reduces the ability of these small blood vessels to exchange nutrients and oxygen with tissues of the brain. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, cerebral aneurysm may be caused artherosclerosis and is classified as the filling of a blood vessel in the brain with excess amounts of blood. This bulging area in the blood vessel can rupture causing a brain hemorrhage or create pressure on a nerve or surrounding brain tissue.
Stroke
According to the National Stroke Association, the buildup of fatty deposits or cholesterol can result in the formation of the blood clot in the small vessels of the brain. Blood clots in the small vessels of the brain are extremely dangerous because they can block the flow of blood the brain resulting in ischemic stroke. The blockage of the small blood vessels in the brain due to a blood clot can also result in a thrombotic or embolic stroke.
Alzheimer's Disease
According to the Texas Arrhythmia Institute, fatty acid deposit in the arteries can fragment and release smaller fragments, known as emboli, that can become stuck in smaller blood vessels. These fragmented emboli affect the structural integrity and function of the small vessels resulting in arthero-embolic diseases of the brain. Blood clots formed in the chambers of the heart can also fragment and travel to the small vessels of the brain resulting in the brain thrombo-embolic disease. Arthero-embolic and thrombo-embolic diseases of small vessels of the brain produce lesions in the brain and cause Alzheimer's dementia. Deposition of amyloid plaques in the small vessels of the brain further complicate Alzheimer's disease and its associated dementia.
