Research - Unit of Cerebrovascular Disease

Research at the Cerebrovascular Disease Unit is conducted through the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS).

Research is carried out in the field of clinical and experimental neuroscience and within the following group:

The Unit investigates strategies to improve people’s quality of life by optimizing their cerebral blood flow. A stroke is caused by a sudden interruption in cerebral blood flow due to the blockage or rupture of a cerebral artery. It is the leading cause of permanent disability in adults, the second leading cause of death among people over 60, the leading cause of death among Spanish women, and accounts for 3-7% of the total national healthcare expenditure.

Despite significant advances thanks to treatments involving the reopening of blocked arteries, future progress depends on discovering strategies to protect cells damaged by poor cerebral blood flow.

Studies published by professionals from the Unit demonstrate the existence of a complex interaction between the nervous system—damaged by impaired blood flow—and the immune system. They also highlight the fundamental importance of oxidative and nitrosative damage mechanisms.

Advancing research into the role of immune cells in stroke progression and confirming the promising role of identified antioxidant treatments could have significant social and healthcare implications.