Page 70 - MaquetaFundCIEN-2019-ENG

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Annual Report 2019
Other projects
Currently, several lines of study are being followed up based on the combined use of biochemical markers and genetic data.
• MicroRNAs and lipid metabolism markers as potential links between vascular dysfunction and Alzheimer’s physiopathology.
During 2019, the project initiated in 2017 and entitled “MicroRNAs and lipid me- tabolism markers as potential links with vascular dysfunction and Alzheimer’s disease pathology”, funded by MINECO (RETOS Projects), whose principal in- vestigators are Drs. Miguel Medina and Miguel Calero, has continued. The main objective of this proposal is to explore the possible role of miRNAs and markers of lipid metabolism as possible links between peripheral vascular dysfunction and the pathophysiology of AD. The design of the project is based on a double approach with complementary aims related to the existing cohorts (Vallecas Project and Research Program of the Vallecas Research Center (PICAV) and the CIEN Foundation Brain Bank. The central working hypothesis builds upon the existence of circulating miRNAs and molecules of lipid metabolism in plas- ma that could differentiate cognitively normal individuals from people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, either alone or in combination with other parameters being collected from the same individuals (elderly volun- teers) within the Vallecas Project, as well as patients with confirmed AD after autopsy. To this end, we propose to carry out a complementary and synergis- tic approach to evaluate, validate and standardize the identification, moni- toring, quantification and functional validation of miRNAs in plasma samples taken from elderly subjects who are cognitively normal, show deterioration cognitive mild or moderate dementia, in the presence or absence of peripheral vascular pathology. Following a multidisciplinary approach, the analysis of the data obtained will benefit from the availability of other data generated within the Vallecas project (sociodemographic data, clinical history, annual neuro- logical evaluation, neuropsychological evaluation, structural and functional brain MRI, genotyping, etc.) in order to identify molecular, clinical, or neuroim- aging signals that may serve to define populations at higher risk of developing dementia in the future.
Dementia Genetics Spanish Consortium (DEGESCO).
Also, during this year, the CIEN Foundation has continued participating in Dementia Genetics Spanish Consortium (DEGESCO) in which a number of Spanish research groups share genetic data within this consortium to achieve greater study power in dementia genetics and especially in the Alzheimer’s disease. In the context of DEGESCO, during 2019, research activities continued to be carried out oriented towards the definition of new genetic risk factors and the participation of the na- tional consortium in international proposals (see below).
In addition to the study of the APOE gene, using samples from the Vallecas Project (controls) and samples from the Alzheimer Project (AD cases), genetic associa-