New thesis: Using CSF biomarkers to understand mechanisms of behavioral changes and effects of drug treatment in dementia
Victor Bloniecki Kallio, PhD-student at the Division of Clinical Geriatrics. On May 27, 2020, you will defend your thesis "Using CSF biomarkers to understand mechanisms of behavioral changes and effects of drug treatment in dementia", what's the main focus of the thesis?
Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) affect more than 90% of patients with dementia and are a major contributor to disease burden and health care costs. Unfortunately, both effective treatment and our understanding of the pathophysiology of NPS is currently lacking. My thesis focuses on examination of the association between NPS and biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid while also investigating how current treatment options affect these biomarkers.
Which are the most important results?
We have found that tau-associated pathology, a core feature of Alzheimer’s disease, is associated with the presence of NPS in patients with Alzheimer’s disease while synaptic dysfunction is associated with NPS in vascular dementia. Additionally, we have shown that treatment with Risperidone, an antipsychotic, may increase the underlying neurodegenerative process by affecting amyloid pathology.
How can this new knowledge contribute to the improvement of people’s health?
This doctoral thesis provides further information about the potential causes of NPS which may in the future enable improved care and treatment of NPS.
What´s in the future for you? Will you keep on conducting research?
Yes, neuroscience has always been particularly interesting to me and will surely be a part of my future.