Project description DEENESFRITPL MRI biomarkers for early detection and prevention of stroke A brain infarct, also known as an ischemic stroke, is a type of stroke that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked, preventing blood and oxygen from reaching brain cells. Although many strokes originate from cardiovascular atherosclerotic plaques, little is known about the role of local plaques in the vasculature of the brain. To shed light on the cause of stroke, the HEARTOFSTROKE project, funded by the European Research Council, aims to investigate intracranial vasculature, blood supply and brain tissue damage. Researchers will identify patient-specific biomarkers using noninvasive MRI methods. These biomarkers will help recognise microinfarcts in the brain and design preventive and therapeutic strategies. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective My aim is to understand the cause of stroke in every single patient. Brain microinfarcts and macroinfarcts cause a major healthcare burden in Western societies both in terms of morbidity and costs. Cardiovascular thromboemboli from the heart, aorta and neck arteries are considered as the main cause. Still, the vast majority of brain infarcts are unexplained. In contrast to the thromboembolic explanation for brain infarcts, heart infarcts are known to be caused by local atherosclerotic plaque of the coronary arteries and impaired perfusion. This has led to successful preventive and therapeutic strategies against myocardial infarction. For brain infarcts, a blind eye is turned to local atherosclerotic plaque in the intracranial vasculature (Pipes) and impaired Perfusion as possible causes of macro and microinfarcts (Parenchyma). For the ‘3Ps’ (Pipes, Perfusion, Parenchyma) I have created new research fields based on innovative noninvasive arterial spin labeling perfusion MRI, perfusion reserve, perfusion territory and vessel wall MRI methods. In this project, I will go an important step beyond the state of the art by investigating the total intracranial burden of disease of these ‘3Ps’ and systematic evaluations in patients. Pipes: novel methods to visualise and characterise intracranial plaque including inflammatory plaque enhancement, intraplaque haemorrhage and calcification detection. Perfusion: novel methods to investigate hemodynamic impairment in areas with critically low perfusion with noninvasive arterial spin labeling MRI methods and perfusion reserve methods specific for each intracranial perfusion territory. Parenchyma: novel methods to detect microinfarcts. Technical innovations (Pipes, Perfusion) will be applied in synergy to explain micro and macroinfarcts (Parenchyma). Patient specific biomarkers will, similar to the heart, pave the way for designing preventive and therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing the burden of neurodegenerative diseases. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata sciencemedical and health sciencesbasic medicineneurologystrokemedical and health sciencesclinical medicineangiologyvascular diseasescerebrovascular diseases Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-StG-2014 - ERC Starting Grant Call for proposal ERC-2014-STG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-STG - Starting Grant Host institution UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUM UTRECHT Net EU contribution € 1 499 450,00 Address HEIDELBERGLAAN 100 3584 CX Utrecht Netherlands See on map Region West-Nederland Utrecht Utrecht Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 499 450,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUM UTRECHT Netherlands Net EU contribution € 1 499 450,00 Address HEIDELBERGLAAN 100 3584 CX Utrecht See on map Region West-Nederland Utrecht Utrecht Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 499 450,00
