Researcher-discovered FOXF2 makes us better at understanding strokes

Researchers identify gene associated with stroke and dementia
There is a gene that could increase our risk of stroke and dementia. Researchers discovered that this gene damages vessels in our brain and causes the vessels to shrink. The finding could lead to new drugs being developed for these two most common neurological disorders.

When people have a stroke or suffer from dementia, it affects their lives and often their environment. For a long time, doctors have been looking for ways and medicines to treat these conditions better. Researchers from Boston University have now discovered in their study that a gene could be the cause of the disease. This gene causes damage to the vessels in our brain and may increase the likelihood of dementia or stroke. The researchers published their findings in the journal "Lancet Neurology".

Researchers found that the FOXF2 gene damages the blood vessels in our brain. This can lead to serious illnesses such as dementia and strokes. (Image: psdesign1 / fotolia.com)

Gene inhibits blood flow in our brain
The doctors discovered a gene in our brain that blocked the circulation. As a result, the organ can not be supplied with vital oxygen and food. Without the supply, the neutrons will die. This finding may well lead us to better treat and possibly prevent strokes in the future, and it may also be possible to develop better treatments for Alzheimer's disease, the researchers say. Stroke is now the leading neurological cause of death and disability worldwide. In Britain alone, around 40,000 people die of stroke each year, making it the third leading cause of death from heart disease and cancer.

FOXF2 gene increases the number of small blood vessels in the brain
Previous studies have mostly focused on how genes help harden our arteries. This condition is called atherosclerosis. The genes can lead to the formation of blood clots and these can trigger a so-called ischemic stroke, the experts explain. Another group of genes could be associated with hemorrhagic strokes and hemorrhages in the brain. Scientists have now conducted a genome-wide association study to study the genetic variations in the DNA of people who have had a stroke. In addition, researchers used a meta-analysis to combine the data from previous studies into one large dataset. They discovered the FOXF2 gene, which increases the small blood vessels in our brains, explain the physicians. As a result, our risk of stroke increases. Previous studies have found no gene associated with the most common type of small vessel disease, stroke, say the experts.

Help for the future treatment of strokes?
We found out in our research that a gene shrinks our vessels and that it increases the likelihood of ischemic stroke, says Professor Sudha Seshadri of Boston University. In addition, some genes have been associated with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. The findings are essential to develop new therapeutic and preventive strategies to treat the causes of stroke, adds the physician. The disease of the small vessels could not only cause a stroke, but was also a major factor in the development of dementia and depression. In the UK alone, there are about 850,000 people with dementia and it is estimated that this number will increase to one million by 2025. (As)