SVDs@target brings together basic researchers, academic clinicians and patient organizations. All our work packages are led by a pre-clinical and a clinical investigator who collaborate on a specific problem. Hence, there will be rapid and efficient transfer of new knowledge from laboratory to bedside and back.
The project is organized around four major risk factors and mechanisms that have recently emerged and for which evidence supports a role in SVDs:
New mechanisms will be validated in animal models and in humans (WP5).
The project is organized around four major risk factors and mechanisms that have recently emerged and for which evidence supports a role in SVDs:
- Blood pressure variability (WP1)
- Blood Brain Barrier (WP2)
- Microvascular matrisome (WP3)
- Inflammation (WP4)
New mechanisms will be validated in animal models and in humans (WP5).
Work package 1
Blood pressure variability and microvascular dysfunction in SVDs
Leads: University of Vermont (pre-clinical) & University of Oxford (clinical)Objectives of the Work package
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which blood pressure hypertension and variability alter the primary functions of cerebral arterioles and to determine key mechanistic defects shared by different SVDs.
- To identify novel therapeutic targets for validation through interventions in WP5
- To determine the prognostic value of blood pressure variability for SVDs, stroke, cognitive decline, and dementia, using cohort and trial data (>100,000 patients) and determine drug-class effects on consistency of control of blood pressure
- To determine the relationship between blood pressure/ blood pressure variability and functional and structural MRI features of SVDs
Work package 2
Blood brain barrier integrity and perivascular flow in SVDs
Leads: University of Edinburgh (clinical) & Kobenhavns Universitet (pre-clinical)Objectives of the Work package
- To assess blood brain barrier integrity and the interplay with microvessel function, including perivascular flow and vascular reactivity, in a range of models and clinical presentations of SVDs
- To identify factors that contribute to the malfunction of blood brain barrier and perivascular flow such as blood pressure and its variability, that increase microvessel wall damage and are potential therapeutic targets for testing in WP5
- To establish mechanistic links between malfunction of blood brain barrier perivascular flow, and the profile of brain parenchymal lesions in different SVDs
Work package 3
Microvascular matrisome and vascular integrity in SVDs
Leads: Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (pre-clinical) &Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht (clinical)
Objectives of the Work package
- To identify matrisome changes shared by distinct SVDs in rodent models and humans
- To identify novel MRI markers of microvascular malfunction in patients with SVDs
- To establish mechanistic links between matrisome changes, microvascular malfunction, and the profile of brain parenchymal lesions in different SVDs
Work package 4
Inflammatory mechanisms - immune cell binding and transmigration in SVDs
Leads:Westfaelische Wilhelms-Universitaet Muenster (pre-clinical) & Universiteit Maastricht (clinical)Objectives of the Work package
- To identify, localize and characterize immune cells and determine binding and transmigration of these cells in different SVDs
- To identify novel mechanisms involved in immune cell mediated microvessel wall damage in different SVDs
- To identify novel therapeutic targets for validation through interventions in WP5
Work package 5
Validation of mechanisms through interventions
Leads: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen (clinical) & University of Vermont (pre-clinical)Objectives of the Work package
- To validate novel mechanisms common to multiple SVDs through interventions that demonstrate a beneficial effect on microvascular function in brain vessels. This will be done in a broad range from animal models to clinical trials.
- To identify predictors of a therapeutic response to agents already in use in patients.
Work package 6
Project Management
Lead: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet MuenchenObjectives of the Work package
- Ensure the proper overall management of the project so as to strengthen and support the ability of participants to achieve their objectives, complete milestones on time, and provide deliverables
- Establish an effective communication infrastructure and foster an integrative process within the consortium
Work package 7
Dissemination, Exploitation, Communication
Lead: ARTTIC S.A.S.Objectives of the Work package
- Raise public and scientific awareness of the EU-funded project, and of prevention of SVDs, stroke, and dementia
- Facilitate networking and mutual communication with the scientific community, the patient population, and the general public
- Reach all potential clinical, scientific, and non-scientific audiences
- Manage the processes for capturing and protecting intellectual property, addressing confidentiality issues and patent/ copyright acquisition
- Ensure efficient exploitation of project results and achieve the highest possible benefit for scientists, industry, and European society
