Approved Research

Causal determinants of dementia with a vascular component (DVC-RISK).

Lay summary

Dementia is a leading cause of death, and the number of cases of vascular dementia is likely higher than what is currently estimated because it often occurs alongside other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. While significant progress has been made in studying the genetic drivers of Alzheimer's disease, research into the causes of vascular dementia has been lacking.

The previous studies on vascular dementia were too small. They did not include a wide range of patients, which made it difficult to find out, making it difficult to determine the important genes and environmental factors that cause the disease. Understanding the role of blood vessel problems in dementia is important because it makes the memory and thinking problems in diseases conditions like Alzheimer's even worse.

By conducting a genetic study of dementia patients with vascular pathology, this research will help us understand its causes, genetic (i.e., variations in genes that increase the risk) and environmental (i.e., lifestyle choices, health conditions). Identifying genes that increase the risk, and risk factors that can be changed, will allow us to develop ways to prevent and treat the disease. Additionally, by finding ways to identify people who are at risk early on, we can intervene promptly to slow down or prevent the progression of vascular dementia. Ultimately, this research has the potential to make a big difference in public health by reducing the impact of vascular pathology (i.e., issues related to blood vessels) on dementia,  and improving the lives of those affected and their families.

This project will overcome these challenges by doing a detailed study using information about our genes and physical characteristics to find new links and develop ways of predicting who is at a higher risk of getting the disease. Additionally, the project aims to study how genes affect the decline of memory and thinking skills, and find factors that can be changed to reduce the risk of developing vascular dementia.