| Title: | Environmental exposures, medicine use, genetic susceptibility, and the risk of cardiovascular diseases and psychiatric disorders |
| Lead Institution: | Huazhong University of Science and Technology |
| Principal investigator: | Professor Yaohua Tian |
Application 69741
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About
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and psychiatric disorders account for most deaths globally and are the main drivers of morbidity, disability, and health-care costs. Although the aetiology of CVDs and psychiatric disorders is still mostly elusive, the environmental-genetic interaction effects may be a cause of the diseases. Currently, there has been an increasing interest in the association between environmental exposures (especially air pollution) and the risk of CVDs and psychiatric disorders across the lifetime span. However, little is known about the potential role of genetic susceptibility in the relationship of environmental exposures with adverse health conditions. Exploring the modification effect of genetic susceptibility can help to identify individuals who are more susceptible to the detrimental effects of environmental exposures. In addition, most patients with CVDs and psychiatric disorders need to take medications to slow down the disease progression. Given that the oxidative stress or inflammation may be involved in the potential mechanism of health effects of air pollutants, subjects taking anti-inflammatory medications or disease-specific medications may be protected against adverse effects of airborne agents and may show smaller responses to air pollutants. Further examing the potential role of medications in exposure-response relationship might help to inform more specific pollution management strategies. Our project is expected to last 36 months, and the causal evidence generated from the study will inform strategies and policies towards minimising exposures from health inhibiting urban environments, especially harmful air pollutants. The evidence will also inform strategies for pollution management and medication in major cities around the world.22 Publications
Enabling scientific discoveries that improve human health