Young stroke
Stroke
Project title: Investigating CADASIL and CARSIL shared molecular mechanisms of the ECM in a human blood brain barrier model to understand the causes of early-onset stroke.
In some cases, stroke can run in families, and these types are much more common in younger individuals. In such conditions a single gene is faulty (i.e. a monogenic type of stroke). Most monogenic forms cause stroke by leading to damage to the small blood vessels in the brain, which is called Small Vessel Disease (SVD).
The most frequent familial SVDs are called CADASIL and CARASIL, and are caused by mutations in genes which disrupt the extracellular matrix, a net-like structure that supports the small blood vessels in the brain. The vessel cannot function normally and can become leaky so that material passes from the blood stream to the brain. Initially, these diseases were considered rare, but recent studies suggest that they are much more common than originally thought.
Dr Alessandra Granata from the University of Cambridge has been awarded a research grant to study how disruption of the matrix causes small vessel stroke. To achieve this, she will develop a model of familial small vessel disease in the laboratory to study how SVD causes stroke. This will then enable identification of targets for the development of new treatments for stroke, which aim to correct its disruption.
Neurological disorders - Stroke in young adults
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Why is there a need to fund new research?
Stroke is a major health problem that can have devastating consequences. It happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, causing the death of brain cells and dysfunction in one or more parts of the brain. The restricted blood supply can be the result of an artery supplying blood to brain becoming blocked, a blood vessel rupturing causing a bleed inside the brain, or a brief reduction in the blood supply to the brain.
People over the age of 65 are more likely to have a stroke, although around a quarter of strokes happen in young people of working age.
Angela Hind PhD, Chief Executive of the Medical Research Foundation, said: “Historically, we’ve thought of stroke as only affecting older adults but recent evidence suggests a growing problem in young adults.
“Stroke in young adults can have a huge impact, often occurring when they are starting a family or already have young children to look after, and have yet to reach the peak of their careers. The economic, social and personal consequences can be devastating. We consider this to be an area of high unmet need, which is why we’re supporting mid-career researchers who have the potential to be the research leaders of the future.”
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