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Dried Blood Spot Collection of Health Biomarkers to Maximize Participation in Population Studies
Published on: January 28, 2014
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Biomarkers
Emma F Bublitz1,2,3,4, Carol A Van Hulle3, Hannah Zylstra5
1University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
Alzheimer'S & Dementia : the Journal of the Alzheimer'S Association
|December 25, 2025
Summary
Icosapent ethyl (IPE) did not significantly alter cerebral blood flow in veterans. However, baseline vascular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers correlated with blood flow measures, unlike APOE ε4 carrier status.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Veterans have higher risks of vascular disease and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- Icosapent ethyl (IPE), an omega-3 fatty acid, reduces cardiovascular events and triglycerides.
- Cerebrovascular health may influence AD risk, and 4D flow MRI (PCVIPR) can assess brain blood flow and arterial stiffness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of IPE on cerebrovascular health in veterans using 4D flow MRI (PCVIPR).
- To explore the relationship between IPE, APOE genotype, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in veterans.
Main Methods:
- The BRAVE-EPA study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 123 cognitively unimpaired veterans.
- Participants received 4g daily IPE or placebo for 18 months, undergoing PCVIPR MRI and CSF biomarker analysis.
- Image analysis focused on mean blood flow (MF), pulsatility index (PI), and total cerebral blood flow (CBF).
Main Results:
- IPE treatment did not significantly change MF, PI, or CBF measures over 18 months.
- APOE ε4 carriers and non-carriers showed similar baseline blood flow.
- Baseline CSF vascular biomarkers correlated significantly with PI and, to a lesser extent, MF.
Conclusions:
- IPE treatment did not significantly impact PCVIPR measures of cerebral blood flow in this veteran cohort.
- Baseline CSF vascular biomarker levels, not APOE ε4 status, were associated with baseline cerebral blood flow measures.
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