Translational Framework For Innovation in Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (TRAFFIC) | 26CVD03

• Antreas CHARIDIMOU, Boston University (USA)
• Marcel VERBEEK, Radboud University Medical Center (Netherlands)

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common condition in older adults where a toxic protein called amyloid-beta builds up in the walls of brain blood vessels, weakening them. This can lead to devastating brain bleeds (hemorrhagic strokes), a stroke subtype with one of the highest rates of death and disability. CAA is one of the most common causes of brain bleeds in older adults and plays a major role in dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Despite its prevalence — affecting the brains of over 50% of patients with hemorrhagic stroke, and the majority of patients with Alzheimer’s — CAA remains underdiagnosed, and there are no targeted treatments currently available. This is due to insufficient understanding of how CAA develops and progresses. Our international research team aims to change that by transforming how CAA is diagnosed and advancing understanding of its underlying mechanisms, including its rarer and more aggressive forms. We will combine advanced brain imaging with new molecular biomarkers to improve early and accurate detection. We will deploy innovative animal models to track disease progression and identify new diagnostic biomarkers. By studying brain scans, body fluids and tissues, and clinical data from patients worldwide, we aim to uncover how CAA develops and causes damage to brain vessels. A core part of this initiative is training the next generation of CAA scientists. Our structured program will provide mentorship, funding, and hands-on opportunities across different labs to equip early-career researchers with the skills needed to advance the field. By integrating clinical, molecular, and experimental research, our team will generate critical insights into how CAA works, improve diagnostic strategies, and lay the foundation for future therapies. Our ultimate goals are to enable earlier detection, reduce the risk of brain bleeds, advance precision medicine for CAA, and train the next generation of CAA scientists.