By 2030, approximately 20% of the population will be aged 65 or older. In this age group, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) will result in 40% of all deaths and rank as the leading cause. Furthermore, the cost to treat cardiovascular and central nervous system diseases will triple in that time. Although increasing evidence has linked unhealthy lifestyle, external exposures, and genetic alterations to the risk of cardiovascular and central nervous system diseases, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Proteins and metabolites in the blood circulation can be helpful to detect normal/abnormal cell activities in the human body, which are under tight regulation of genes and impact of environmental exposures. This project aims to systematically investigate the associations of genetic, metabolic, proteomic profiles, as well as external environmental exposures with development of major cardiovascular and central nervous system diseases. We will: 1) systematically investigate and compare the effects of genetic predisposition, environmental exposures, disease and medication use history, metabolites, and circulating proteins on risks of different CVDs and central nervous system diseases; 2) explore the integrating effects of genetic, metabolic, proteomic, environmental exposures, and disease and medication use history on major CVDs and central nervous system diseases; 3) infer causality using genetic instruments. The purpose of this project is to better understand the etiology of CVDs and central nervous system diseases. The knowledge will provide novel insights into the identification of potential prevention and/or therapeutic targets for major CVDs and central nervous system diseases.
