Reactive oxygen species in diabetes-induced vascular damage, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease.

A morphological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the deposition of amyloid-beta peptide in plaques and along blood vessels. As several lines of evidence suggest that vascular dysfunction contributes to AD, the pathophysiology of diabetic vasculopathy and stroke may cast light on the vascular component of AD. In this review, we compile some recent findings on the role of reactive oxygen species in diabetes-induced vascular dysfunction and the consequent cerebral ischemia and compare them with key findings in AD. Overall, there is compelling evidence that reactive oxygen species play a key role in the pathophysiology of AD. Unfortunately, this insight has not yet led to a new treatment of AD.