Long-term reduction in blood flow - a cause of vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease?

Lead Investigator: Dr Karen Horsburgh
Institution: University of Edinburgh
Grant type: Project
Duration: 3 years
Amount: £335,176
Scientific Title: Vulnerability of the neurovascular unit to cerebral hypoperfusion: An early event in vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease?

What do we already know?

The vascular system is important for maintaining normal brain function and cognition and is altered in vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

In normal ageing, blood supply to the brain can often be disrupted or reduced as a result of underlying conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension) or atherosclerosis (thickening and hardening of the blood vessels). Any changes to the blood vessels and their ability to deliver blood to the brain will affect the ability to deliver enough oxygen and the right nutrients to the brain cells, which are essential for healthy brain cells. It is already known that disruption of the vascular system and reductions in blood supply to the brain (called cerebral hypoperfusion) is a cause of vascular dementia, which is the second largest cause of dementia after Alzheimer's disease.

What does this project involve?

This project will involve the use of a mouse model to measure the long term effects of a small reduction (less than 20%) in blood flow to the brain, by creating a model of cerebral hypoperfusion.

Long term effects on the vascular system and blood vessels within the brain can be measured. Protein changes within brain cells can also be identified. All of this will help us to further understand the changes that occur within the brain during vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

How will this benefit people with dementia?

This project will help to show us what changes can occur very early on in the development of dementia and what changes can be caused by a slight reduction in the blood flow to the brain. By understanding the mechanisms of vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease, it is hoped that this will lead to the development of effective drugs to treat the diseases.