Is Cerebral amyloid angiopathy a hereditary disease?

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) can be either sporadic or hereditary.

Sporadic CAA is the most common form of the disease and occurs in people who do not have a family history of the condition. It is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Hereditary CAA is a rare form of the disease that is caused by mutations in certain genes. These mutations are passed down from parents to children. Hereditary CAA is usually more severe than sporadic CAA and can lead to symptoms at a younger age.

The most common gene mutation that causes hereditary CAA is the NOTCH3 mutation. This mutation is found in about 50% of people with hereditary CAA. Other gene mutations that can cause hereditary CAA include the COL4A1, COL4A2, and TREM2 mutations.