Cerebrovascular diseases

Problem

Strokes are caused by a sudden interruption of brain blood flow due to the obstruction or rupture of a cerebral artery. They represent the leading cause of permanent disability in adults, the second leading cause of mortality among people aged over 60, the leading cause of death among Spanish women and between 3% -7% of national health expenditure.

Despite the great progress in our ability to reopen obstructed arteries, we need to discover new strategies that protect poorly irrigated cells and allow us to minimise this serious health problem.

Approach

The group brings together clinical and basic researchers who plan a joint approach to learn about the problems of patients with cerebral blood disorders. It studies both in the laboratory and at the patient’s bedside, the basic mechanisms involved and the strategies for obtaining a better diagnosis and treatment. Its interest focuses, in particular, on a more in-depth knowledge of the bi-directional relationship between the nervous system and the immune system, as well as on the search for new neuroprotective treatments.

Impact

The group’s studies reveal the existence of a sophisticated interaction between an injured nervous system due to an alteration in blood recruitment and the immune system. They also show the great relevance of oxidative and nitrosative damage mechanisms.

The group also believes that searching for the role of immune cells in stroke progression, as well as confirming the promising role of the antioxidant treatments identified by our group, may have very significant social health consequences.