Silent vascular disease accompanies cognitive decline in healthy aging

Even small changes in the efficiency of the cerebral blood supply can have dramatic effects on cognitive function, and may be predictive of Alzheimer's disease.  It should also be noted that atherosclerosis of the carotid artery Silvestrini et al, 2009 or of the circle of willis    Beach et al, 2007 are frequent finding in Alzheimer's disease.
The vascular connection is important as cerebral hypoperfusion may precede Alzheimer's disease, and is amenable to prevention and therapy.