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Retinal and cognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetes: unraveling the common pathways and identification of patients at risk of dementia

Project description

Retinal parameters as biomarkers of cognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetes

Recent studies indicate that type 2 diabetes is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. Currently, there are no phenotypic biomarkers to identify diabetes patients at risk of developing dementia. Since the retina is ontogenically a brain-derived tissue, the EU-funded RECOGNISED project proposes evaluation of the retina as ontogenically a brain-derived tissue and, as such, a potential biomarker to identify patients at higher risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia. The multidisciplinary consortium from 15 European institutions will investigate the common mechanisms involved in retinal pathogenesis and cognitive impairment in cases of type 2 diabetes, and will use the retina as a tool to identify patients with higher risk of developing cognitive decline or dementia. The ultimate goal of the project is to reduce the societal and economic burden associated with diabetes-related cognitive impairment.

Objective

In recent years there is mounting evidence that type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, which can be considered as a “new” long-term diabetic co-morbid complication with dramatic consequences for patients and their families and a significant impact for healthcare systems. At present there are no reported phenotypic indicators or reliable tests to identify T2D patients at risk of developing dementia. Since the retina is ontogenically a brain-derived tissue, we propose that the evaluation of retinal parameters related to either neurodegeneration or microvascular disease will be robust and valuable biomarkers to identify those T2D patients at higher risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia. On this basis the overarching aims of the project are: 1) To investigate the common mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of DR and cognitive impairment in the T2D. 2) To use the retina as a tool to identifying individuals with T2D at a higher risk of developing cognitive decline or dementia. Our multidisciplinary consortium (RECOGNISED) consist of top research leaders in the field belonging to 15 prestigious institutions as well as EATRIS, IDF-Europe and Alzheimer Europe and 3 SMEs. RECOGNISED will apply innovative approaches to identify the molecular mechanisms involved in the high prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia in T2D population and will use this knowledge to characterize clinical phenotypes (personalized medicine) based on retinal functional and structural characteristics and serum biomarkers in order to stratify the risk and severity of cognitive decline. Previously collected data from registries, cohorts and biobanks will be appropriately exploited and robust new data will be generated that will guide clinical recommendations and open up new therapeutic strategies. Ultimately, RECOGNISED project will help to reduce the huge societal and economic burden associated with diabetes-related cognitive impairment.

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Topic(s)

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RIA - Research and Innovation action

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) H2020-SC1-BHC-2018-2020

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Coordinator

FUNDACIO HOSPITAL UNIVERSITARI VALL D'HEBRON - INSTITUT DE RECERCA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 974 782,70
Address
PASSEIG VALL D HEBRON 119-129 EDIFICIO CENTRAL
08035 BARCELONA
Spain

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Region
Este Cataluña Barcelona
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 974 782,70

Participants (24)

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