VEGFA and Cognitive impairment: These effects were accompanied by disturbed VEGF signalling and an increase in senescence markers and oxidative stress in the vasculature, culminating in cognitive impairment with increased tau phosphorylation in the cortex and hippocampus and decreased myelination in the white matter.<h4>Interpretation</h4>These findings reflect the main hallmarks of cSVD and demonstrate a protective role of Gα<sub>q/11</sub> in endothelial cells in ageing.