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Emerging risk factors for cerebrovascular disease
1Department of Neurology-UVa Stroke Center, University of Virginia Health Systems-School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. njs2j@virginia.edu
Current Drug Targets
|July 17, 2007
Summary
Emerging risk factors like infection and sleep disorders significantly increase stroke risk. Further research and advanced therapies like nanotechnology are crucial for effective cerebrovascular disease treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Medicine
- Genetics
Background:
- Nontraditional risk factors for cerebrovascular disease are increasingly recognized.
- These factors encompass infection, inflammation, sleep disorders, hemostasis, nutrition, endocrine issues, and genetic predispositions.
- While many factors show promise, large-scale prospective studies confirming causality are often lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging nontraditional risk factors for cerebrovascular disease.
- To highlight areas with strong evidence, such as infection and sleep disorders.
- To discuss challenges and future directions in stroke research and therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of emerging risk factors for cerebrovascular disease.
- Analysis of evidence supporting specific risk factors like infection, obstructive sleep disorders, metabolic syndrome, and impaired glucose tolerance.
- Examination of challenges in basic science and translational research, including conflicting results from estrogen replacement therapy studies.
Main Results:
- Infection, obstructive sleep disorders, metabolic syndrome, and impaired glucose tolerance are strongly associated with increased stroke risk.
- Despite evidence of neuroprotection, estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women did not show expected benefits.
- Novel drug targets have been identified within some emerging risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Cerebrovascular disease pathophysiology is complex, necessitating continued research into nontraditional risk factors.
- Advanced therapeutic approaches, including nanotechnology and peptide mimetics, offer promising avenues for future cerebrovascular drug development.
- Targeted research is essential for advancing successful stroke therapy.
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