Causes and treatment of cerebral arteriosclerosis

The causes of cerebral atherosclerosis include old age, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, alcoholism, obesity, lack of exercise, hyperhomocysteinemia, etc. The initial manifestation of cerebral atherosclerosis is the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. As the plaques increase, they will show varying degrees of stenosis in the lumen. If the stenosis is severe or acute occlusion is shown, it will cause symptoms of cerebral infarction. Treatment for cerebral atherosclerosis includes antiplatelet therapy, aspirin, clopidogrel, and statin therapy, such as rosuvastatin and atorvastatin, to reduce LDL by 50% or below 1.8 mmol/L. Treatment should target the causes of atherosclerosis, such as lowering blood pressure, lowering blood sugar, quitting smoking, abstaining from alcohol, losing weight, and increasing exercise. If cerebral atherosclerosis causes stenosis of large intracranial vessels or severe stenosis of the carotid artery, stenting or internal carotid endarterectomy may be used to treat it.