Boston: Cypriot neurologist and researcher at Boston University, Dr. Antreas Charidimou, along with Professor Marcel Verbeek from Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands, has secured $9 million in funding from the Leducq Foundation. The grant aims to establish an international research network focused on cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the funding was awarded as part of the Leducq Foundation's International Networks of Excellence program. This support will fund the TRAFFIC - Translational Framework For Innovation in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy - over five years. The network will be coordinated by Boston University and Radboud University Medical Center, incorporating research teams from several countries.
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy, commonly known as CAA, affects the small blood vessels of the brain in older adults. It is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-beta protein in the walls of cerebral blood vessels, leading to hemorrhagic strokes. It is also associated with cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.
Despite its prevalence, early diagnosis of CAA remains challenging, and targeted treatments are lacking. The international TRAFFIC network aims to enhance understanding of the disease's mechanisms, develop new biomarkers, and contribute to earlier and more accurate diagnosis. The research will integrate advanced brain imaging techniques, molecular biomarkers, experimental models, and clinical data from patients worldwide.
Dr. Charidimou stated that CAA is among the most common pathologies affecting the aging brain. However, unanswered questions about its development and progression limit clinical progress. By uniting expertise across clinical, molecular, and experimental research, TRAFFIC seeks to address these gaps and foster the next generation of CAA investigators. The network aims to improve care for patients at risk of brain bleeds and cognitive decline.
The network includes leading researchers from the United States, the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany, with institutions such as Boston University, Radboud University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, and the University of Rhode Island participating.
This achievement underscores the international presence of Cypriot scientists at the forefront of medical research, particularly in fields directly relevant to aging populations, strokes, and dementia.