Risk prediction models for stroke or dementia using miRNA expression among patients with cerebral small vessel disease

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K16579
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52020:Neurology-related
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: Nezu Tomohisa 広島大学, 病院(医), 講師 (10457260)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 脳小血管病 / 口腔内環境 / 内皮機能 / バイオマーカー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We conducted a comprehensive investigation into factors related to cerebral small vessel disease, examining blood biomarkers, physiological findings, and oral environment. Alpha-2 macroglobulin, which is thought to be reflected endothelial function, was associated with microalbuminuria and linked to cerebral small vessel disease. Among physiological findings, carotid wall shear stress was associated with enlargement of perivascular spaces in the basal ganglia and executive dysfunction. Additionally, the size of the cervical vagus nerve was associated with white matter lesions. In the oral environment, Cnm-positive Streptococcus mutans and Campylobacter rectus were associated with cerebral microbleeds.

Free Research Field

神経内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

脳小血管病は脳卒中、認知症発症と関連することから病態を反映する臨床指標の確立が望まれている。α2マクログロブリンやwall shear stressを経時的に評価し、心血管リスク因子の管理により脳小血管病の進展抑制に寄与するか、将来的な認知症、脳卒中予防に寄与するかの追加検討が重要となってくる。また、脳小血管病に関連する口腔内細菌の更なる同定、性状解析を追加し、菌種に応じた最適な口腔ケアが確立すれば脳小血管病進展抑制につながる可能性もある。本研究で得られた様々な横断研究からの知見とマイクロRNAとの関連性は有意な結果が見いだせておらず、マイクロRNAの臨床応用にむけてはさらなる検討を要する。