The association between blood coagulation markers, atherothrombosis and dementia.

Abnormalities of coagulation and the fibrinolytic system leading to a hypercoagulable state could lead to accelerated atherogenesis. The abnormalities of haemostasis and resulting ischaemic cerebrovascular disease may contribute to cognitive decline in the elderly. There is increasing evidence in the literature of haemostatic abnormalities not only in vascular dementia but also in patients with Alzheimer's dementia. Among the serum markers of hypercoagulability leading to thrombosis and dementia, serum fibrinogen has been one of the factors most commonly studied. Modification and control of these serum markers of hypercoagulability offer an exciting approach to the control of dementia in the community. This article explores the association between serum markers of hypercoagulability, associated atherothrombosis and the risk of dementia.