Grant: Team Grant: Transnational Cardiovascular Research Projects

Impaired cardiovascular health is predictive of cognitive impairment as a consequence of cerebrovascular defects. Despite being a high medical need, assessment of cerebrovascular health is inexistant in general pratice. The retinal microcirculation in the eye, however, offers a window to the brain to acquire both structural and functional parameters. Dysfunctions of small blood vessels preceeds symptomatic cardiovascular vascular diseases. Retinal microvascular function has been shown to be impaired with increasing age and sedentariness, and in patients with glaucoma (group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve) as well as vascular and metabolic diseases. Importantly, retinal vascular function can be improved by physical exercise in patients with risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, suggesting that monitoring the capacity of retinal blood vessels to dilate could permit identifying patients at risk of developping cognitive (learning and memory) impairment of vascular origin and perform follow-up efficacy studies. In this project we will explore the potential of state-of-the art retinal imaging to detect and monitor microvascular dysfunction, and its association with cognitive decline (Aims 1 and 2). To better understand the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and identify novel therapeutic targets, we will study the role of vascular aging, vascular permeability and vascular cells function as determinant of microvascular dysfunction (Aim 3). The overarching goal of this project is to develop a reliable and standardized method to assess retinal vascular function as a biomarker of cerebrovascular health. This simple ocular exam would enable timely interventions aiming at preventing vascular-related neurodegeneration.