Neutrophil Derived Microvesicles in Vascular Cognitive Impairment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Neutrophil Derived Microvesicles in Vascular Cognitive Impairment
IRAS ID
359850
Contact name
Ali Ali
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
This research study, titled "Neutrophil Derived Microvesicles in Vascular Cognitive Impairment," is investigating a serious condition called **Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI). VCI is a broad term for thinking and memory problems that happen because of damage to the brain's blood vessels. It includes conditions such as **Vascular Dementia (VD), which is the second most common cause of dementia globally, and **Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment (PSCI), affecting many people after a stroke. VCI poses a significant challenge to healthcare, and understanding it better is a research priority.
Scientists know that general inflammation in the body is linked to the worsening of VCI, but the exact ways this connection works are not fully understood. This study focuses on tiny particles called Neutrophil Derived Microvesicles (NDMVs). These are small packets released from neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, especially when there's infection or inflammation. Early research has shown that NDMVs might stick to inflamed areas in blood vessels and could cause more inflammation by delivering certain molecules. They might also impact the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is a protective shield for the brain.
The main aim of this pilot study is to see if the pattern, number, and size of NDMVs are different in the blood of patients with VCI (VD and PSCI) compared to healthy people who are similar in age and sex. The study is designed as a small, observational case-control study involving 24 participants: 8 healthy controls, 8 patients with VD, and 8 patients with PSCI. Researchers will collect a small blood sample from each participant in a single visit and analyse it to compare NDMV characteristics. This initial step is crucial for understanding the potential role of NDMVs in VCI progression, which could eventually lead to new ways to target and treat these conditions.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0788
Date of REC Opinion
28 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion