Related Experiment Videos
CASCADE: a European collaborative study on vascular determinants of brain lesions. Study design and objectives
L J Launer1, M Oudkerk, L G Nilsson
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Erasmus University Medical School, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. launerl@exmur.nia.nih.gov
Insights
Cardiovascular risk factors influence brain abnormalities like white matter lesions and atrophy, which are linked to dementia. The CASCADE study investigates these long-term connections to understand dementia
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Dementia is a prevalent condition often associated with cardiovascular factors.
- Brain abnormalities, including white matter lesions and atrophy, are common in dementia patients.
- These abnormalities may represent the underlying anatomical basis for dementia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate long-term (10-20 years) and short-term (5 years) cardiovascular risk factors for brain abnormalities.
- To examine the cognitive consequences of these brain abnormalities.
- To analyze the cardiovascular determinants of dementia (CASCADE) across a European population.
Main Methods:
- Multi-center study design across Europe.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure white matter lesions and brain atrophy.
- Cognitive function assessed using nine memory and executive function tests.
Main Results:
- Data collection from ongoing European studies with a cardiovascular risk gradient.
- Inclusion of random samples of at least 100 subjects aged 65-75 years per study center.
- Focus on established research examinations within participating centers.
Conclusions:
- The CASCADE project aims to elucidate the relationship between cardiovascular health and dementia.
- Understanding these links can inform preventative strategies for dementia.
- The study design facilitates analysis of cardiovascular determinants of dementia.
Abstract:
Dementia is a highly prevalent disease that may have a cardiovascular component. White matter lesions and brain atrophy (brain abnormalities) are prevalent in dementia cases and might form part of the anatomical basis for the disease. We designed a multi-centre study, CASCADE (Cardiovascular Determinants of Dementia), to examine long-term (10-20 years) and short-term (5 years) cardiovascular risk factors for, and the cognitive consequence of, brain abnormalities. White matter lesions and atrophy are measured with magnetic resonance imaging. Cognitive function is measured with nine tests of memory and executive function. The studies included in CASCADE were ongoing and geographically spread throughout Europe to capture the cardiovascular risk gradient. In each study, a random sample of at least 100 subjects aged 65-75 years was selected who participated in the previous research examinations conducted by the respective centres. The objectives and design of the CASCADE project are described.