The Interplay Between Brain Vascular Calcification and Microglia

Vascular calcifications are characterized by the ectopic deposition of calcium and phosphate in the vascular lumen or wall. They are a common finding in computed tomography scans or during autopsy and are often directly related to a pathological condition. While the pathogenesis and functional consequences of vascular calcifications have been intensively studied in some peripheral organs, vascular calcification, and its pathogenesis in the central nervous system is poorly characterized and understood. Here, we review the occurrence of vessel calcifications in the brain in the context of aging and various brain diseases. We discuss the pathomechanism of brain vascular calcification in primary familial brain calcification as an example of brain vessel calcification. A particular focus is the response of microglia to the vessel calcification in the brain and their role in the clearance of calcifications.

Automated summary

Vascular calcifications refer to the ectopic deposition of calcium and phosphate in the blood vessels, often associated with pathological conditions. While peripheral organ vascular calcifications have been extensively studied, the understanding of vascular calcification in the central nervous system is limited. This review focuses on the occurrence of vessel calcifications in the brain in relation to aging and various brain diseases, using primary familial brain calcification as an example. The role of microglia in the brain's response to vessel calcification and their involvement in the clearance of calcifications are discussed.