Vascular abnormality in neck could lead to Alzheimer’s

Patients who suffer from abnormal blood flow in neck veins may be at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Known as jugular venous reflux (JVR), this occurs when the pressure gradient in the neck reverses direction of blood flow in the vein, causing blood to leak backwards into the brain. The condition causes more white matter lesions in the brain which are associated with people with Alzheimer’s.

Age-related white matter changes have long been associated with dementia and faster cognitive decline.