Grant: Catalyst Grant: NWHRI: Innovation Fund - Biomedical Discovery Grants

Domestic abuse is defined as physical, sexual, emotional, or financial abuse by a current or former partner or family member, and most commonly involves male on female actions. Abuse against women is a global public health concern affecting 25-50% of women. Beyond the physical and mental health consequences of abuse, domestic abuse is a large economic burden, costing the Canadian economy over $6 billion annually. Studies show higher rates of mental health issues like depression and anxiety in women who are victims of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse also increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks, but only in females. While the increased risk of heart attacks may be the result of behavioural factors like decreased physical activity or smoking - which are more common in female survivors of abuse - they cannot explain all or even most of the increased rate of cardiovascular disease. This study will identify changes in the hearts of mice following physical or psychological stressors associated with domestic abuse. We will use a mouse model of pain to mimic physical injuries associated with some types of abuse, and mice subjected to psychological stress to imitate mental health issues that develop with abusive relationships. We will examine stress markers in the heart to determine how physical and mental abuse impacts them, which will allow us to determine the mechanisms by which abuse can damage the heart. This proposal will create a foundation for future investigations, including how abuse affects chronic cardiovascular conditions like heart failure. We can also use mice of both sexes to determine if males and females respond differently to abusive stressors, and mice of different ages to determine how childhood abuse compares to abuse in adults. By identifying mechanisms and the impact of variables like age and sex, rationally designed therapies can be created to protect survivors of abuse from cardiovascular disease.