Aiming to prevent stroke and dementia

Stroke and dementia rank among the most pressing health issues in Europe. Both conditions are linked with so-called cerebral small vessel diseases (SVDs). SVDs account for more than 30% of strokes and at least 40% of dementia cases. Despite this profound impact on human health, reliably effective treatments for SVDs are still elusive. Now, a network of scientists, mostly from European institutes and universities, has started to investigate mechanisms associated with different SVDs; specifically, they have begun to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms that compromise the function of diseased microvessels. In the project, scientists will use state-of-the art technologies to develop novel treatments and help prevent stroke and dementia. The new network "Small vessel diseases in a mechanistic perspective: Targets for Intervention in Stroke and Dementia (SVDs@target)" is funded through the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, which is contributing six million Euros over five years.