What are Dementia (Vascular) biomarkers

Vascular dementia arises when brain blood vessels are damaged, reducing blood flow and disrupting the cells that support thinking. Blood biomarkers make this hidden vascular injury visible, turning complex biology into signals that can be monitored. They capture stress on the vessel lining and small vessels (endothelial dysfunction; sICAM‑1, sVCAM‑1), leakage of the blood–brain barrier (MMP‑9), astroglial responses (GFAP, S100B), and downstream injury to nerve fibers (neurofilament light, NfL). Inflammation and clotting signals (CRP, IL‑6, fibrinogen, homocysteine) reflect systemic forces that drive small‑vessel disease. Together, these markers help detect vascular brain injury earlier, gauge ongoing activity, and separate it from primary Alzheimer‑type changes; pairing vascular signals with amyloid and tau measures (Aβ, p‑tau) clarifies whether cognitive decline is vascular, neurodegenerative, or mixed. In short, vascular dementia biomarkers translate blood into a picture of neurovascular health, enabling risk stratification, tracking over time, and targeted prevention focused on protecting the brain’s circulation (neurovascular unit).

Why is blood testing for Dementia (Vascular) important?

• Assess brain blood vessel risk from cholesterol particles and inflammation drivers.
• Spot high LDL and ApoB that promote plaque and ischemic strokes.
• Flag inherited Lp(a) elevations tied to stroke and aortic valve disease.
• Clarify risk when cholesterol seems normal by measuring ApoB particle number.
• Guide intensity of statins, ezetimibe, or PCSK9 inhibitors to reduce vascular events.
• Track treatment progress and residual risk using serial ApoB and hs-CRP.
• Explain vascular inflammation with hs-CRP; 2 mg/L or higher signals more risk.
• Best interpreted with blood pressure, diabetes status, smoking, and family history.

What insights will I get?

Dementia (Vascular) blood testing provides insight into the health of your blood vessels and how well your brain is supplied with oxygen and nutrients. Vascular dementia is closely linked to the health of the cardiovascular system, which affects not only cognition but also energy, metabolism, and overall system stability. At Superpower, we test LDL cholesterol, ApoB, Lp(a), and hs-CRP to assess key aspects of vascular health that influence dementia risk.

LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is often called “bad cholesterol” because high levels can lead to plaque buildup in arteries, restricting blood flow to the brain. ApoB (apolipoprotein B) is a protein found on LDL particles and provides a more precise count of these cholesterol-carrying particles. Lp(a), or lipoprotein(a), is a genetic variant of LDL that is particularly atherogenic, meaning it can accelerate plaque formation. hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) is a marker of inflammation, which can damage blood vessels and contribute to both heart disease and vascular dementia.

Healthy levels of LDL, ApoB, and Lp(a) support stable blood flow and reduce the risk of small vessel damage in the brain, which is crucial for maintaining cognitive function. Low hs-CRP indicates minimal inflammation, supporting the integrity of blood vessels and reducing the risk of vascular injury that can lead to dementia.

Interpretation of these biomarkers can be influenced by age, acute illness, chronic conditions, medications, and even laboratory methods. For example, levels may shift during infections, pregnancy, or with certain therapies, so results are best understood in the context of your overall health.