A major new UK DRI project to develop an ‘atlas’ of the gene activity in the blood vessels of the brain is set to transform understanding of vascular dementia. Combining this map with genetic studies, the project will address a critical knowledge gap by identifying which genes influence our risk of vascular dementia, and how their effects manifest.
Vascular dementia is the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer’s, accounting for 15-30% of cases. It is caused by dysfunction in blood flow to parts of the brain, leading to cell damage and neurodegeneration. While gene expression maps have been available for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s for several years, scientists researching vascular dementia lack this fundamental information. Unlocking this knowledge will enable researchers to identify new therapeutic targets for vascular dementia.
The highly collaborative project, funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and led by Prof Caleb Webber (UK DRI Director of Data Science), is a joint effort between the UK DRI and Dementias Platform UK (DPUK). It was born out of a Vascular Research Theme meeting between the two organisations, which came together to identify critical gaps in our knowledge of vascular dementia.
“Understanding the role of the vasculature in neurodegeneration is important, because it is such a critical interface for brain homeostasis,” Prof Webber explained. “The brain is a privileged organ because it is shielded by the blood brain barrier. The vasculature is involved in the delivery of nutrients and removal of waste products – it affects everything going on in the brain, in one way or another.”
In this project, the team will use a new approach developed by DPUK team members in Oxford to isolate samples of vascular and parenchymal (functional) brain tissue, so that the cells, and their relationship to one another, can be studied in context.
