BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuCerebral amyloid angiopathyAmyloidosis - cerebral; CAA; Congophilic angiopathyCerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a condition in which proteins called amyloid build up on the walls of the arteries in the brain. CAA causes bleeding into the brain (hemorrhagic stroke) and dementia.Hemorrhagic strokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes People with CAA have deposits of amyloid protein in the walls of blood vessels in the brain. The protein is usually not deposited anywhere else in the body.The major risk factor is increasing age. CAA is more often seen in people older than 55. Sometimes, it is passed down through families. Symptoms CAA can cause bleeding into the brain. Bleeding often occurs in the outer parts of the brain, called the cortex, and not the deep areas. Symptoms occur because bleeding in the brain harms brain tissue. Some people have gradual memory problems. When a CT scan is done, there are often signs that they have had bleeding in the brain that they may not have realized.If there is a lot of bleeding, immediate symptoms occur and resemble a stroke. These symptoms include:Drowsiness DrowsinessDrowsiness refers to feeling more sleepy than normal during the day. People who are drowsy may fall asleep when they do not want to or at times whic...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Headache (usually in a certain part of the head) HeadacheA headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are rare. Most people with headaches can feel much better...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nervous system changes that may start suddenly, including confusion, delirium, double vision, decreased vision, sensation changes, speech problems, weakness, or paralysis ConfusionConfusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DeliriumDelirium is sudden severe confusion due to rapid changes in brain function that can occur with physical or mental illness.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Double visionThere are many types of eye problems and vision disturbances, such as: Halos Blurred vision (the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article WeaknessWeakness is reduced strength in one or more muscles.Read Article Now Book Mark Article ParalysisMuscle function loss is when a muscle does not work or move normally. The medical term for complete loss of muscle function is paralysis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Seizures SeizuresA seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stupor or coma (rarely) ComaDecreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness from whi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Vomiting If bleeding is not severe or widespread, symptoms can include:Episodes of confusion Headaches that come and go Loss of mental function (dementia) Weakness or unusual sensations that come and go, and involve smaller areas Seizures Exams and Tests CAA is hard to diagnose with certainty without a sample of brain tissue. This is usually done after death or when a biopsy of the blood vessels of the brain is done.A physical exam can be normal if the bleed is small. There may be some brain function changes. It is important for your health care provider to ask detailed questions about the symptoms and medical history. The symptoms and results of the physical exam and any imaging tests may cause your provider to suspect CAA.Imaging tests of the head that may be done include:CT scan or MRI scan to check for bleeding in the brain CT scanA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI scanA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRA scan to check for large bleeds and rule out other causes of bleeding MRA scanMagnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is an MRI exam of the blood vessels. Unlike traditional angiography that involves placing a tube (catheter) int...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article PET scan to check for amyloid deposits in the brainPET scanA brain positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test of the brain. It uses a radioactive substance called a tracer to look for disease...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment There is no known effective treatment. The goal of treatment is to reduce risk by modifying risk factors, such as hypertension, and to relieve symptoms. In some cases, rehabilitation is needed for weakness or clumsiness. This can include physical, occupational, or speech therapy.Sometimes, medicines that help improve memory, such as those for Alzheimer disease, are used.Alzheimer diseaseDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. It affects memo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Seizures, also called amyloid spells, may be treated with anti-seizure medicines. Outlook (Prognosis) The disorder slowly gets worse. Possible Complications Complications of CAA may include: Dementia Hydrocephalus (rarely) HydrocephalusHydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid inside the skull that leads to the brain pushing against the skull. Hydrocephalus means "water on the brain. "...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Seizures Repeated episodes of bleeding in the brain When to Contact a Medical Professional Go to the emergency room or call 911 or the local emergency number if you have sudden loss of movement, sensation, vision, or speech.Loss of movementMuscle function loss is when a muscle does not work or move normally. The medical term for complete loss of muscle function is paralysis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesPolster SP, Carrión-Penagos J, Awad IA. Nonlesional spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 423.Shoamanesh A, Kase CS. Intracerebral hemorrhage. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 66.AllVideoImagesTogArteries of the brain - illustration The internal carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries supply blood to the brain.Arteries of the brainillustrationArteries of the brain - illustration The internal carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries supply blood to the brain.Arteries of the brainillustrationRelated Information Primary amyloidosis(Condition)Incidence(Special Topic)Dementia(Condition)Hydrocephalus(Condition)Alzheimer disease - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 6/13/2024 Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. 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Cerebral amyloid angiopathyAmyloidosis - cerebral; CAA; Congophilic angiopathyCerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a condition in which proteins called amyloid build up on the walls of the arteries in the brain. CAA causes bleeding into the brain (hemorrhagic stroke) and dementia.Hemorrhagic strokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DementiaDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects one or more brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, j...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes People with CAA have deposits of amyloid protein in the walls of blood vessels in the brain. The protein is usually not deposited anywhere else in the body.The major risk factor is increasing age. CAA is more often seen in people older than 55. Sometimes, it is passed down through families. Symptoms CAA can cause bleeding into the brain. Bleeding often occurs in the outer parts of the brain, called the cortex, and not the deep areas. Symptoms occur because bleeding in the brain harms brain tissue. Some people have gradual memory problems. When a CT scan is done, there are often signs that they have had bleeding in the brain that they may not have realized.If there is a lot of bleeding, immediate symptoms occur and resemble a stroke. These symptoms include:Drowsiness DrowsinessDrowsiness refers to feeling more sleepy than normal during the day. People who are drowsy may fall asleep when they do not want to or at times whic...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Headache (usually in a certain part of the head) HeadacheA headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are rare. Most people with headaches can feel much better...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nervous system changes that may start suddenly, including confusion, delirium, double vision, decreased vision, sensation changes, speech problems, weakness, or paralysis ConfusionConfusion is the inability to think as clearly or quickly as you normally do. You may feel disoriented and have difficulty paying attention, remembe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DeliriumDelirium is sudden severe confusion due to rapid changes in brain function that can occur with physical or mental illness.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Double visionThere are many types of eye problems and vision disturbances, such as: Halos Blurred vision (the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article WeaknessWeakness is reduced strength in one or more muscles.Read Article Now Book Mark Article ParalysisMuscle function loss is when a muscle does not work or move normally. The medical term for complete loss of muscle function is paralysis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Seizures SeizuresA seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stupor or coma (rarely) ComaDecreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness from whi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Vomiting If bleeding is not severe or widespread, symptoms can include:Episodes of confusion Headaches that come and go Loss of mental function (dementia) Weakness or unusual sensations that come and go, and involve smaller areas Seizures Exams and Tests CAA is hard to diagnose with certainty without a sample of brain tissue. This is usually done after death or when a biopsy of the blood vessels of the brain is done.A physical exam can be normal if the bleed is small. There may be some brain function changes. It is important for your health care provider to ask detailed questions about the symptoms and medical history. The symptoms and results of the physical exam and any imaging tests may cause your provider to suspect CAA.Imaging tests of the head that may be done include:CT scan or MRI scan to check for bleeding in the brain CT scanA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI scanA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRA scan to check for large bleeds and rule out other causes of bleeding MRA scanMagnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is an MRI exam of the blood vessels. Unlike traditional angiography that involves placing a tube (catheter) int...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article PET scan to check for amyloid deposits in the brainPET scanA brain positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test of the brain. It uses a radioactive substance called a tracer to look for disease...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment There is no known effective treatment. The goal of treatment is to reduce risk by modifying risk factors, such as hypertension, and to relieve symptoms. In some cases, rehabilitation is needed for weakness or clumsiness. This can include physical, occupational, or speech therapy.Sometimes, medicines that help improve memory, such as those for Alzheimer disease, are used.Alzheimer diseaseDementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. It affects memo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Seizures, also called amyloid spells, may be treated with anti-seizure medicines. Outlook (Prognosis) The disorder slowly gets worse. Possible Complications Complications of CAA may include: Dementia Hydrocephalus (rarely) HydrocephalusHydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid inside the skull that leads to the brain pushing against the skull. Hydrocephalus means "water on the brain. "...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Seizures Repeated episodes of bleeding in the brain When to Contact a Medical Professional Go to the emergency room or call 911 or the local emergency number if you have sudden loss of movement, sensation, vision, or speech.Loss of movementMuscle function loss is when a muscle does not work or move normally. The medical term for complete loss of muscle function is paralysis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesPolster SP, Carrión-Penagos J, Awad IA. Nonlesional spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 423.Shoamanesh A, Kase CS. Intracerebral hemorrhage. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 66.
