Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Research Group

About us

We are a team of researchers investigating how changes in the blood vessels in the brain can affect brain health, especially as we get older. Everyone experiences changes in their blood vessels over time—like stiffening or reduced flexibility. While these changes can be a common part of aging, and don’t necessarily indicate a problem on their own, they can sometimes contribute to conditions like strokes or dementia.

Our goal is to understand why these changes occur in some people, identify who is at risk, and discover how to reduce this risk to keep brains healthier for longer.

Over the next 5-10 years, we will be running studies to answer these questions, and we’re excited to share that our very first study ACCESS@ICL, is now underway! This study focuses on understanding how small vessel disease develops and progresses.

If you’ve been invited to participate, click the ACCESS@ICL link below to learn more about the study and what you might expect by taking part!

Why this research matters

• Small vessel disease is one of the leading causes of strokes and contributes to up to 45% of dementia cases worldwide. Despite this, we still don’t fully understand why some people develop the condition or how to prevent it from worsening. 

• By identifying the earliest signs of small vessel disease we can help doctors intervene sooner, preventing strokes and dementia, and preserving brain health.