Research led by Lancaster University has revealed clear evidence that changes in the orchestration of brain oxygenation dynamics and neuronal function in Alzheimer's disease contribute to neurodegeneration.

The study "Neurovascular phase coherence is altered in Alzheimer's Disease" was published in Brain Communications. The lead author is Aneta Stefanovska with Juliane Bjerkan, Gemma Lancaster, Peter McClintock and Trevor Crawford from Lancaster University and Bernard Meglič and Jan Kobal from the University of Ljubljana Medical Centre in Slovenia.

Professor Stefanovska said: "Alzheimer's can be hypothesised as being a result of the brain not being appropriately nourished via the blood vessels (vascular system)."

Dr Bernard Meglič, clinical coordinator of the study, said: "The vascular system and the brain work together to ensure that the brain receives sufficient energy. In fact, the brain needs as much as 20% of the body's overall energy consumption despite contributing only about 2% of the body's weight."