DCU to partner in new research project focused on cardiovascular disease prevention for women
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women in Europe, with a sharp increase in risk during and after menopause. To date however, most research investigating risk indicators for cardiovascular disease has focused on men. Consequently, current risk models don’t account for sex and gender specific factors.
An innovative and ambitious new project is seeking to address this issue in three key stages building towards an AI-supported personalised risk assessment app and new interventions for healthcare providers. Crucially, the project also puts women at the heart of the process, and its solutions. Their experiences and preferences will inform the work of the consortium at all stages.
The project officially began earlier this month with a meeting hosted by project coordinator Vicomtech at the Spanish tech research centre’s headquarters in San Sebastián.
The project will begin with an extensive review of existing research, followed by the leveraging of existing datasets using cutting edge machine learning techniques, before a range of new interventions including a self monitoring app and non-invasive nanosensors to monitor new biomarkers (early signals in the body indicating risk of disease) are tested in clinical trials in Europe and Latin America. The project will also develop clinical guidelines to help healthcare providers integrate these new personalized risk assessment models into clinical practice, thus supporting more effective CVD prevention strategies tailored to women.
Dr Louise Hopper will coordinate DCU’s contributions to the project, and will work with colleagues at Trinity College Dublin and other stakeholders to spearhead the work of the Irish part of the consortium. Earlier this year, Dr Hopper won the President’s Award for Research in recognition of her wide ranging research to date, including work on improving quality of life for older adults, in particular those suffering from dementia.
CARAMEL is funded under Horizon Europe, the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation. The collaboration reflects DCU’s ongoing commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically goal number 3 which centres on Good Health and Wellbeing.