Cerebrovascular mediated subclinical brain injury – interaction between cardiovascular function, brain structure and cognitive function – study rationale, design and principal methods

Abstract

Project entitled “Cerebrovascular mediated subclinical brain injury – interaction between cardiovascular function, brain structure and cognitive function- study rationale, design and principal methods” is a cross-sectional study in a group of older individuals with no apparent symptoms of stroke, transient ischemic attacks or cognitive impairment. The primary aim of the projects is further our understanding of the patomechanism of cerebrovascular disease associate brain injury as well as vascular cognitive impairment and give a better insight into the interplay between arterial wall, ventriculo-vascular coupling, wave reflection and pulsatility of the flow and how these interplays are mirrored by MRI neuroimaging. With our novel, interdisciplinary approach, we will define the methodology and build tools for those who want to follow in this challenging and non-standard direction.

Keywords

• brain structure
• cognitive function
• arterial stiffness
• arterio-vascular coupling
• gray matter volume
• white matter lesions