While we did not observe an association between tau levels and CAA severity, it has been reported that tau predominantly mediates cerebrovascular damages including arterial smooth muscle loss, elastin degradation, and stiffness prior to CAA formation in early-stage AD with Braak I-II.59 Therefore, early interventions with tau-targeted therapy might be potentially beneficial in preventing the progression of VCID and AD. This evidence concerns the gene MAPT and Alzheimer disease.