Strokes are a leading cause of death and disability globally, and understanding new risk factors, particularly for younger adults, is vital for public health. Central to this research is the hypothesis that Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases (IMIDs), such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), significantly increase the risk and severity of stroke. This is due to heightened thromboinflammatory responses – a blend of blood clotting and inflammation processes – in individuals with these conditions.
The project is comprehensive, combining epidemiological studies with cutting-edge multi-omics methods (encompassing genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics). The first aim of this project is to explore the connections between the presence and progression of IMIDs and the onset and severity of strokes. This will be achieved through the analysis of health records and data to uncover patterns and correlations. Secondly, we aim to identify specific thromboinflammatory markers and molecular signatures that differentiate stroke patients from those without a stroke history. This will involve a deep dive into the biological mechanisms that link IMIDs to stroke, potentially uncovering new therapeutic targets and prevention strategies.
Briefly, the project seeks to uncover undetected markers and causal relationships, which could lead to early identification of high-risk individuals and the development of targeted treatments. The findings could significantly impact public health, providing new insights into stroke prevention and paving the way for more effective disease management strategies, especially in patients with IMIDs.
