Project Overview

The understanding of the factors responsible for the increased risk of cognitive problems in women remains limited. Determining the function of small vessel disease in maintaining brain health is crucial, particularly for women. As a result, we propose examining cognitive abilities as well as changes in the structure and volume of the brain caused due to damage in small vessels of brain in both men and women.

First, we will look into whether the risk factors for heart disease have an impact on the cognitive abilities of men and women. The brain structures of men and women with high blood pressure will then be compared to those of individuals without high blood pressure. The structure of the brain is measured with a special imaging test called MRI.

Finally, we will compare cognitive abilities in men and women with and without high blood pressure to see if there is a connection between damage to the brain structure through small vessel disease and cognitive ability.

We will use data from the UK Biobank. We have already obtained access the entire dataset through Neurohub, McGill University.

Principal Investigator

Amanpreet Kaur , McGill University Health Center Research Institute

Partners and Donors

Heart and Stroke Foundation