. Up to 30% of stroke patients experience cognitive decline in the months and years after stroke. This dementia is commonly referred to as vascular dementia and its etiology is unknown. Our goal has been to develop the first model of post stroke dementia to improve its classification, determine the cause(s) and develop treatments. We developed a new model of stroke that creates a highly consistent cortical lesion. In the first week after stroke mice have a motor and sensory deficit but no cognitive deficit. In the weeks that follow they recover from their sensory and motor deficit, however they experience cognitive decline, recapitulating one type of vascular dementia in humans. We have found that the development of the cognitive deficit correlates with the appearance of a delayed inflammatory response in the striatum and internal capsule of stroked mice, characterized by activated macrophages/microglia and infiltration of T cells. We hypothesize that this inflammatory response is in response to Wallerian degeneration of the axons that project from the stroke lesion. Furthermore we hypothesize that because Wallerian degeneration in the CNS is very slow, taking months to years to resolve, this inflammation may cause T cell mediated autoimmunity, and that this may be the cause of dementia in a large number of stroke patients. To test this hypothesis we propose to determine the structural basis of the cognitive impairment in our mouse model, determine if cognitive impairment correlates with autoimmunity, and determine if T cells are necessary for cognitive dysfunction to occur. We will also determine if multiple strokes accelerate and amplify the immune response to stroke, and if tolerization to brain antigens can prevent cognitive dysfunction. To help me accomplish these aims I have sought help from expert mentors and consultants to provide instruction in each of the areas that I require further training. With the help of my mentor Dr Buckwalter, co-mentor Dr Wyss-Coray, and in conjunction with my consultants Dr Longo, Dr Steinman and Dr Shamloo I will gain expertise in a wide range of experimental techniques and methods of analyses. I have also put together a training plan to facilitate my transition to a tenure-track academic position that incorporates learning management, mentoring and job search skills. My long-term goal is to develop treatments for vascular dementia to improve the lives of patients and their caregivers. The proposed research and training plan will contribute enormously to the accomplishment of this goal.

Public Health Relevance

Vascular dementia is the second leading cause of dementia representing approximately 15-20% of diagnosed cases of dementia throughout the world. The etiology of vascular dementia is unknown and there are no animal models. The goal of this proposal is to develop a model of vascular dementia and identify its causes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Research Transition Award (R00)
Project #
5R00NR013593-05
Application #
9003825
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Program Officer
Matocha, Martha F
Project Start
2014-03-25
Project End
2017-02-28
Budget Start
2016-03-01
Budget End
2017-02-28
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Arizona
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
806345617
City
Tucson
State
AZ
Country
United States
Zip Code
85721
Zbesko, Jacob C; Nguyen, Thuy-Vi V; Yang, Tao et al. (2018) Glial scars are permeable to the neurotoxic environment of chronic stroke infarcts. Neurobiol Dis 112:63-78
Doyle, Kristian P; Buckwalter, Marion S (2017) Does B lymphocyte-mediated autoimmunity contribute to post-stroke dementia? Brain Behav Immun 64:1-8
Nguyen, Thuy-Vi V; Frye, Jennifer B; Zbesko, Jacob C et al. (2016) Multiplex immunoassay characterization and species comparison of inflammation in acute and non-acute ischemic infarcts in human and mouse brain tissue. Acta Neuropathol Commun 4:100
Doyle, Kristian P; Quach, Lisa N; Solé, Montse et al. (2015) B-lymphocyte-mediated delayed cognitive impairment following stroke. J Neurosci 35:2133-45
Doyle, Kristian P; Quach, Lisa N; Arceuil, Helen E D' et al. (2015) Ferumoxytol administration does not alter infarct volume or the inflammatory response to stroke in mice. Neurosci Lett 584:236-40
Doyle, Kristian P; Buckwalter, Marion S (2014) A mouse model of permanent focal ischemia: distal middle cerebral artery occlusion. Methods Mol Biol 1135:103-10
Doyle, Kristian P; Fathali, Nancy; Siddiqui, Mohammad R et al. (2012) Distal hypoxic stroke: a new mouse model of stroke with high throughput, low variability and a quantifiable functional deficit. J Neurosci Methods 207:31-40
Doyle, Kristian P; Buckwalter, Marion S (2012) The double-edged sword of inflammation after stroke: what sharpens each edge? Ann Neurol 71:729-31