2024 Alzheimer's Association Research Fellowship (AARF)
Dynamic interplay of vascular injury and inflammation on AD progression
How does the interaction of brain inflammation and blood vessels in the brain impact Alzheimer’s related brain changes?
Julie Ottoy, Ph.D.
Sunnybrook Research Institute
Toronto, Canada
Background
Research suggests that brain inflammation and brain blood vessel (cerebrovascular) impairment may represent early changes in Alzheimer’s. These changes involve a specialized structure called the neurovascular unit (NVU), which is composed of different brain cells, including nerve cells, glia cells (support cells in the brain), and blood vessels of the brain. In a healthy brain, the NVU maintains a stable environment in the brain by regulating blood flow, removing waste, and bringing nutrients where they are needed. However, these functions may become impaired in Alzheimer’s leading to further damage.
Currently, there are several methods that researchers use to study the health of the NVU and brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s (beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles, hallmark brain changes) using brain scans (positron emission tomography (PET) and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) and by measuring biological markers (biomarkers) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood. This study aims to use these techniques to investigate how brain inflammation and cerebrovascular dysfunction interact with each other to contribute to the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Research Plan
Dr. Ottoy and colleagues will use brain scans (PET and MRI) and blood biomarkers from three diverse cohorts of individuals with varying levels of Alzheimer’s-associated brain changes. The research team will investigate the specific interplay between brain inflammation and cerebrovascular dysfunction over time. Next, they will examine how the combination of brain inflammation, and cerebrovascular dysfunction contributes to the progression of Alzheimer’s using both imaging and blood biomarkers as well as standardized cognitive testing.
Impact
The results of this study may increase our understanding of how cerebrovascular and inflammatory pathways may contribute to brain changes in Alzheimer’s and other dementia.