Relationship between vascular dysfunction and depression

Maastricht: A deterioration in blood vessel function (vascular dysfunction) does not only play an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease, but also in the development of dementia and depression. This was shown in the doctoral research carried out by Thomas van Sloten, trainee internist at Maastricht UMC+. In another doctoral research study by Nordin Hanssen, also trainee internist at Maastricht UMC+, a new mechanism is described upon which this type of vessel dysfunction is based. Van Sloten and Hanssen were both awarded their PhD yesterday, both with cum laude distinction. A cum laude distinction is something very special, let alone two in one day.

For his research, Van Sloten (on the right of the photo) used data from large groups of people, including those from the Maastricht Study. It was a large-scale epidemiological research study into the causes and effects of type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. Perhaps the most interesting of his findings were from his research on the effects of vascular dysfunction associated with brain diseases such as dementia and depression. Scans have shown that impaired vascular function can cause damage to the brain (microvascular dysfunction). The brain damage in turn causes an increased risk of dementia (cognitive dysfunction) and symptoms of depression. Damage to the area of the brain that is in particular involved with regulating emotions and feelings, the deep brain structures, results in depression.

Glycated proteins
Nordin Hanssen PhD (on the left of the photo) examined an important new mechanism that forms the basis of vascular dysfunction in people with diabetes. He focussed in particular on glycated proteins, known as AGEs (advanced glycation end products). The most important finding in his study was that a high concentration of AGEs in the blood of people with diabetes is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. An accumulation of AGEs in the vessel wall results in vascular dysfunction and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), and a rupture of this area of hardening (also known as plaque) results in acute lack of oxygen, possibly resulting in heart infarction or stroke. In his study, Hanssen demonstrated a new mechanism through which cardiovascular diseases develop, so providing guidance for their prevention with AGE inhibitors. This also provides hope for a new medicinal treatment for cardiovascular disease. The accompanying thesis also shows that AGE measurements in blood plasma could possibly be used to predict cardiovascular disease.

Publications
Thomas van Sloten’s study resulted in publications in leading scientific journals including The American Journal of Psychiatry, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews en Hypertension. Nordin Hanssen’s study resulted in publications in, for example,  European Heart Journal en Diabetes.