Cypriot neurologist and researcher at Boston University, Dr. Antreas Charidimou, together with Professor Marcel Verbeek from Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands, has been awarded $9 million in funding from the Leducq Foundation to establish a new international research network for cerebral amyloid angiopathy.
According to a statement by the American university, the funding was awarded as part of the Leducq Foundation’s highly competitive International Networks of Excellence program and will support the TRAFFIC – Translational Framework For Innovation in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy – for five years, with the network coordinated by Boston University in the United States and Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands, involving research teams from many countries.
As noted, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, known internationally as CAA, is a common condition affecting the small blood vessels of the brain in older adults and is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid -beta protein in the walls of cerebral blood vessels, constituting a major cause of hemorrhagic strokes, while it is also associated with cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
It is added that despite its prevalence, CAA remains difficult to diagnose early, and there are still no targeted treatments; with the international TRAFFIC network aiming to improve understanding of the disease’s mechanisms, develop new biomarkers, and contribute to earlier and more accurate diagnosis. The research team will combine advanced brain imaging techniques, molecular biomarkers, experimental models, and clinical data from patients worldwide.
CAA is among the most common pathologies affecting the aging brain, yet fundamental unanswered questions about how the disease develops and progresses continue to limit clinical progress, including our ability to diagnose it accurately and early,’ said Dr. Charidimou, adding that ‘ny bringing together complementary expertise across clinical, molecular, and experimental research, TRAFFIC is designed to address these gaps while fostering the next generation of CAA investigators. We hope this network will have a lasting impact on the field and ultimately 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 participation from 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.
This distinction highlights the international presence of Cypriot scientists at the forefront of medical research, particularly in a field of direct relevance to an aging population, strokes, and dementia, the announcement concludes.