Researchers at the University of New Mexico are shedding light on an often-overlooked contributor to dementia: damage to the brain’s tiny blood vessels. Dr. Elaine Bearer, Harvey Family Endowed and Distinguished Professor in the UNM School of Medicine’s Department of Pathology, has developed a novel framework to classify vascular changes in the brain, revealing that many individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease also suffer from vascular damage that silently destroys neural tissue.
In a study published in the American Journal of Pathology, Bearer describes ten distinct disease processes that contribute to vascular-based brain injury. These include oxygen or nutrient deficiencies, blood serum leakage, inflammation, and impaired waste removal, all of which can trigger micro-strokes and harm neurons. Her research employs advanced microscopy and specialized stains to identify these subtle changes in brain tissue donated by families of dementia patients. Surprisingly, many patients clinically diagnosed with Alzheimer’s also showed extensive small-vessel disease, suggesting vascular contributions are more widespread than previously recognized.
Adding to the complexity, Bearer’s team discovered significant amounts of nano- and microplastics in the brain, which appear linked to both inflammation and cognitive decline. “Nanoplastics in the brain represent a new player on the field of brain pathology,” she said, noting that their presence correlates with the severity and type of dementia.
Conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis have long been associated with vascular dementia, but Bearer emphasizes that systematic study of these vascular pathologies—and now, the role of plastics—is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. She hopes her classification system will guide neurologists and neuropathologists in scoring disease severity and advancing therapeutic strategies.
Bearer’s research builds on years of collaboration with Dr. Gary Rosenberg, director of the UNM Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, which received a USD 21.7 million NIH grant in 2024 to support this work. Together, they aim to establish consensus guidelines across the country, enabling a deeper understanding of vascular dementia and the emerging impact of microplastics on brain health.
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