MRC DTP in Precision Medicine

Investigating the role of the heart-brain axis in brain waste clearance

Supervisors

Dr Michael Stringer, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow
Prof Colin Berry, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow
Prof Terry Quinn, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow
Dr Francesca Chappell, Institute of Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research, University of Edinburgh

Summary

Microvascular and small vessel disease (SVD) affect small blood vessels in the heart and brain respectively. Independently, they are major contributors to angina/ischaemic heart disease and stroke/dementia. However, despite increasing awareness of the systemic links between cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, few studies have quantitatively assessed the links between SVD and cardiac microvascular disease. In particular, brain waste clearance (flushing out of harmful brain waste products) may be impaired in several neurodegenerative conditions, and is driven by cardiac fluctuations, which may be affected in people with microvascular disease. In this project, we will assess links between microvascular disease and SVD in clinical populations with angina by exploiting several large datasets, state-of-the-art imaging and analysis methods. We will assess whether quantitative measures of SVD burden:

• relate to the coronary microvasculature’s capacity to respond to demand
• differ in people with genetic predisposition to cardiac conditions related to microvascular disease
• evaluate whether brain waste clearance associations differ in patients with microvascular disease relative to controls

In addition to helping better understand these challenging clinical questions to improve future patient stratification, the successful student will gain substantial experience with cutting edge precision medicine techniques, including use of magnetic resonance imaging scans and genetic phenotyping.