About
Scientific rationale:
High blood pressure is a major cause of mortality worldwide and leads to the development of cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease and stroke. Initial observational studies have suggested that high blood pressure may contribute to structural and functional changes in the brain leading to cognitive function impairment. Availability of observational data related to blood pressure, cognitive function and detailed brain imaging in the large UK Biobank study is a great opportunity to identify specific brain structures that mediate detrimental effects of high blood pressure on cognitive function. Importantly, all the above traits are heritable, which allows to use genetic tools in order to establish a network of causal relationships between them using Mendelian Randomization analysis.
Aims:
Using genetic and observational tools, proposed project aims to verify causal association between blood pressure and cognitive function, as well as to identify brain structures causally affected by high blood pressure.
Public health impact:
Proposed project may identify brain structures that mediate detrimental effects of blood pressure on cognitive function in humans. This may contribute to the better understanding of harmful effects of hypertension on brain functioning and precise identification of brain structures that may be targeted in order to prevent cognitive function decline caused by high blood pressure.
Project duration:
18 months