To advance the understanding and treatment of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) - one of the most common forms of cerebral small vessel disease - through curiosity-driven, discovery science. We are committed to uncovering novel therapeutic targets while nurturing the next generation of scientists through dedicated mentorship and a supportive multidisciplinary research environment. We use philosophical thinking tools as a helpful complementary lens to view our science, to critically examine the limitations of the traditional scientific method, and to reflect on the ethical implications of our work. We strive to raiseawareness of CAA, through science communication, and meaningful patient engagement. Together, these pillars guide our pursuit of knowledge, and ensure our practice is rigorous and transformative, carried out with humility and generosity.
WHAT IS CAA?
CAA is one of the most common forms of cerebral small vessel disease, characterised by the accumulation of amyloid-beta in the walls of the small blood vessels in the brain. This can eventually lead to tissue injury, vessel wall breakdown, and haemorrhagic stroke, one of the most catastrophic outcomes of this disease. More general information can be found here.Â
PROJECTS
Perivascular brain clearance
Impaired clearance of amyloid-beta from the brain has been implicated in the pathophysiology of CAA. One of the projects in the lab aims to understand the mechanisms through which this occurs and what goes wrong during disease progression. One of the key drivers of perivascular brain clearance is vasomotion. We are actively pursuing ways to manipulate vasomotion with the goal to promote amyloid-beta clearance.
Neuroinflammation and haemorrhages
Brain haemorrhages are one of the most catastrophic outcomes of severe CAA. One of the projects in the lab aims to understand the mechanisms through which haemorrhages occur. Recent work from our group - and others - has identified a role for neuroinflammation in vessel wall remodeling and haemorrhage. We are currently characterising which inflammatory pathways are involved in this process, with the goal to target these in prevention studies.