Intracranial Atherosclerosis Epidemiology

Key Highlights

• As per the secondary analysis, intracranial atherosclerotic is responsible for ~8% of ischemic strokes and ~34% of dementia diagnoses in the United States.
• Risk factors for intracranial atherosclerosis-related stroke include older age, higher systolic blood pressure, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and limited physical activity.
• The diagnosis of ICAD is heavily reliant on lumen-based studies, such as computed tomographic angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, or digital subtraction angiography, but newer technologies, such as high-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging, can help distinguish ICAD from stenosing arteriopathies.
• Asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis is often underdiagnosed due to the lack of overt symptoms and limited access to advanced imaging in many regions, while symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis continues to represent a significant cause of ischemic stroke, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
• Obesity, physical inactivity, and poor glycemic control are more prevalent in some populations and contribute to increased risk.

DelveInsight’s "Intracranial Atherosclerosis – Epidemiology Forecast – 2034" report delivers an in-depth understanding of intracranial atherosclerosis, historical and forecasted epidemiology in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan.

Geography Covered

• The United States
• EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom
• Japan

Study Period: 2020–2034

Intracranial Atherosclerosis Disease Understanding

Intracranial Atherosclerosis Overview

Intracranial atherosclerosis is a progressive pathological process that causes progressive stenosis and cerebral hypoperfusion and is a major cause of stroke occurrence and recurrence around the world. Multiple factors contribute to the development of intracranial atherosclerosis. Intracranial atherosclerosis can result in thromboembolism and subsequent transient or permanent cerebral ischemic events and is a major cause of ischemic stroke worldwide. Angiography imaging techniques can improve the diagnosis of and the selection of appropriate therapeutic regimens for intracranial atherosclerosis. Neither aggressive medication nor endovascular interventions can eradicate stroke recurrence in patients with intracranial atherosclerosis. Non-pharmacological therapies such as remote ischemic conditioning and hypothermia are emerging. Comprehensive therapy with medication in combination with endovascular intervention and/or non-pharmacological approach may be a potential strategy for intracranial atherosclerosis in the future.

Intracranial Atherosclerosis Diagnosis

The diagnosis of intracranial atherosclerosis involves a combination of clinical evaluation and imaging techniques. While Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) remains the gold standard for assessing stenosis and collateral flow, its invasiveness and inability to visualize vessel walls limit its use. Non-invasive modalities like Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) and Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) are widely used, though their sensitivity can vary, particularly in medium-sized vessels. High-Resolution Vessel Wall MRI (HRVW-MRI) offers detailed visualization of arterial wall pathology, enabling early detection of non-stenotic ICAD and differentiation from mimicking conditions like vasculitis or Moyamoya disease. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) adds bedside evaluation of cerebral hemodynamic, supporting diagnosis and monitoring. These tools collectively allow for earlier and more precise detection and management of intracranial atherosclerosis.

Further details related to diagnosis will be provided in the report…

Intracranial Atherosclerosis Epidemiology

The intracranial atherosclerosis epidemiology chapter in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by the total prevalent cases of intracranial atherosclerosis, gender-specific cases of intracranial atherosclerosis, age-specific cases of intracranial atherosclerosis, and type-specific cases of intracranial atherosclerosis in the 7MM covering the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan from 2020 to 2034.

• The prevalence of intracranial atherosclerosis increases with age, with a notable rise in those over 60 years. In the United States, the estimated prevalence of intracranial atherosclerosis with =50% stenosis is highest among individuals aged 65 to 90 years.
• As per the secondary search, intracranial atherosclerosis was detected in ~8% of individuals, with ~3% exhibiting moderate to severe stenosis.
• Asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis is more prevalent than symptomatic disease, largely because many individuals remain undiagnosed until an ischemic event occurs.
• In gender based contribution males exhibited higher rates of intracranial stenosis than females.
• Many cases remain asymptomatic until a significant stenosis or stroke occurs.

Intracranial Atherosclerosis Report Insights

• Intracranial Atherosclerosis Report Insights
• Patient Population
• Intracranial Atherosclerosis Report Key Strengths
• Ten Years Forecast
• 7MM Coverage
• Intracranial Atherosclerosis Epidemiology Segmentation

FAQs

• What are the disease risks, burdens, and unmet needs of intracranial atherosclerosis? What will be the growth opportunities across the 7MM concerning the patient population with intracranial atherosclerosis?
• What is the historical and forecasted intracranial atherosclerosis patient pool in the US, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the UK, and Japan?

Reasons to buy

• Insights on patient burden/disease prevalence, evolution in diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
• To understand key opinion leaders’ perspectives around the diagnostic challenges to overcome barriers in the future.
• Detailed insights on various factors hampering disease diagnosis and other existing diagnostic challenges.