Can we use small molecules in blood to diagnose vascular dementia?

Lead Investigator: Dr Eric Harshfield

Institution: University of Cambridge

Grant type: Alzheimer’s Society Research Fellowship

Start date: February 2023

Duration: 36 months

Amount: £190,137.00

This project is supported by Pauline Carrigan, Regular Cleaning Services Ltd.

Project summary:

Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia. Currently, we cannot predict who is likely to develop vascular dementia, and there is no cure. 

Research by Dr Eric Harshfield has two aims - to study small molecules in the blood called metabolites, which could help with predicting who is at a higher risk of developing vascular dementia. This research also aims to find out which parts of the body could be targeted by potential new medicines to treat vascular dementia. 

Project background:

Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia and can occur alongside Alzheimer’s disease making symptoms worse. In vascular dementia the blood supply to parts of the brain is reduced. This causes areas of the brain to stop working properly and leads to dementia symptoms. Currently, scientists don’t fully understand what causes vascular dementia, and this means we don’t have the means to prevent it, treat it, or predict who is likely to get it. 

The approach taken by Dr Harshfield is to study metabolomics. Metabolomics is the study of small molecules in the blood called metabolites and could be used to predict who is most likely to develop vascular dementia. Studying these metabolites will help researchers to better understand the causes of vascular dementia and to identify potential new treatment targets. 

What does this project involve?

Dr Harshfield will analyse data from existing studies to look at the relationship between various metabolites and the progression to vascular dementia. Dr Harshfield will also look at memory and thinking skills and MRI scans to identify links between specific metabolites and features or signs of vascular dementia. 

Dr Harshfield will use these results alongside existing cognitive tests and MRI brain scans, to test whether monitoring levels of metabolites can help to improve the ability of clinicians to predict whether someone will develop vascular dementia. The results will also inform researchers whether someone who already has mild cognitive impairment is likely to remain stable or progress to vascular dementia in the future. 

Through investigating metabolites more closely, and using machine learning, Dr Harshfield also aims to uncover important pathways in the body that could explain how vascular dementia develops. By looking at data from multiple studies, Dr Harshfield will gather information about disease processes that could one day be used to develop new treatments for vascular dementia. 

How will this project help people with dementia?

This research could lead to a new tool that clinicians can use to predict who is most likely to develop vascular dementia. It could also reveal new targets for potential new treatments for vascular dementia.