The heart-brain connection: the missing link in the pathophysiology of vascular

cognitive impairment.

M. DaemenM. Van Buchem

Consortium

Prof. dr. H.P. Brunner la Rocca, Clinical Heart FailureDr. G.J. Biessels, Neurology, Biomarkers, DiabetesProf. dr. M.A. van Buchem, NeuroradiologyProf. dr. M. Daemen, Animal models, PathologyDr. W.M. van der Flier, NeuropsychologyProf. dr. L.J. Kappelle, NeurologyProf. dr. P.J. Koudstaal, NeurologyProf. dr. W. J. Niessen, Image analysisDr. R. van Oostenbrugge, NeurologyProf. dr. A. de Roos, Radiology, CV imagingNamen principal investigators vermeldenWelke disciplines aanwezig (ontbreken er?)Is het consortium landelijk dekkend?

Consortium

Health Care problem

• Prevalence of Vascular Cognitive Impairment is increasing in an aging population.

• VCI co-occurs with Heart Failure and Carotid Occlusive Disesase.• HF and COD contribute to VCI• Gender, diabetes (and other CV risk factors) modify this relation.• Unexplored treatment options for VCI are provided by treatment of

HF and COD

Stroke 2011

Research questionsHypothesis:

Cardiac output disorders, atherosclerotic burden and carotid occlusive disease are important and potentially reversible, but underestimated causes of vascular cognitive impairment offering an excellent opportunity for treatment.

Research questions:

1. To what extent contribute CHF, atherosclerotic burden and COD to VCI in the elderly?

2. What are the mechanisms/pathways involved?

3. How can cognitive function be improved in patients with CHF and COD? Stroke 2011

Research planR

Translation

The program includes mechanistic animal studies, studies in patients and population based studies.

Focus areas Dutch Heart Foundation

• Vascular Cognitive Impairment is a disease of an aging population• The relation between CHF, atherosclerotic disease and VCI may be

explained and/or altered by metabolic disorders and gender.

Perspective

• Targering the CV system to develop novel strategies for cognitive impairment is innovative and connects two important disciplines.

• National consortium has been established.• Novel concept of a very important health care problem. Fits in

Healthy Aging program. Many opportunities for involvement of private partners.

Missing infrastructure:•Experimental approach from the brain perspective•Molecular regulation•Systems Biology approach