Intracranial aneurysm (IA)

An intracranial aneurysm is a localized dilation or 'bulging' of a cerebral artery wall, typically occurring at branch points of the Circle of Willis due to hemodynamic stress and structural vessel wall weakness. Its pathogenesis is driven by chronic inflammation, particularly macrophage-mediated responses, and the excessive degradation of the extracellular matrix by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which leads to thinning of the tunica media and internal elastic lamina. While many aneurysms remain asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally, their rupture results in subarachnoid hemorrhage, a life-threatening form of stroke associated with high rates of disability and mortality. Pharmacological interventions are currently limited and primarily focus on risk factor management (e.g., hypertension control) or reducing inflammatory drivers using drugs like aspirin and statins. Though surgical clipping and endovascular coiling remain the standard of care for high-risk cases, research into molecular targets such as specific microRNAs and cytokines continues to evolve for non-invasive therapeutic options.

Other names

Cerebral aneurysmBrain aneurysmBerry aneurysmSaccular aneurysmFusiform aneurysm

Drugs used in management typically aim to reduce vascular inflammation (COX-1/2 inhibition by Aspirin), stabilize the vessel wall through pleiotropic effects (HMG-CoA reductase inhibition by Statins), or prevent secondary complications like vasospasm (L-type calcium channel blockade by Nimodipine).