{"id":56,"date":"2020-08-28T06:31:33","date_gmt":"2020-08-28T04:31:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/montagnelab.com\/?page_id=56"},"modified":"2026-10-27T16:42:29","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T15:42:29","slug":"news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/montagnelab.com\/?page_id=56","title":{"rendered":"News"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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13 October <\/strong><\/mark>2026<\/span><\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n

New study reveals distinct vascular changes in cerebral small vessel disease!<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are delighted to announce the publication of our latest study in Acta Neuropathologica<\/em>, led by Dr Audrey Chagnot<\/strong>, entitled \u201cPericyte loss and endothelial activation define distinct vascular states in cerebral small vessel disease\u201d.<\/p>\n

First shared as a bioRxiv preprint in March 2026, this work investigates how two key components of the brain’s blood vessels, pericytes and endothelial cells, are affected in cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD), a major contributor to stroke and vascular dementia.<\/p>\n

Using human post-mortem brain tissue and advanced quantitative microscopy, the team analysed over 11,000 individual microvascular fragments<\/strong>, revealing that reduced pericyte coverage and increased endothelial activation are prominent but partly independent features of cSVD. Importantly, the findings identified distinct vascular states associated with disease severity, providing new insights into the complexity of vascular damage in the human brain.<\/p>\n

\"Fig.\u00a01\"<\/p>\n

These discoveries represent an important step towards understanding the cellular mechanisms of cerebrovascular dysfunction and identifying potential targets for future therapies.<\/p>\n

Huge congratulations to Audrey, co-first authors Daniela Jaime Garcia and Conor McQuaid<\/strong>, and all our collaborators for this fantastic achievement! \ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udf89<\/p>\n

Read the study:<\/p>\n

– Published article – Acta Neuropathologica (13 October 2026)<\/a>
– Original bioRxiv preprint (19 March 2026)<\/a><\/p>\n

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29 September 2026<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The Escaping Pericyte<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Montagne Lab travelled back in time in September to solve a mystery in the basement study of a 19th century anatomist. In 57 minutes, we managed to not only escape the past, but also say goodbye to Sofiia as she returns to Germany, and welcome Mavi as she joins the lab.<\/p>\n

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12 May\u00a02026<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

New preprint reveals how pericyte loss reprogrammed brain endothelial cells!<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are delighted to share a new bioRxiv<\/em> preprint led by Dorota \u0160tefan\u010dov\u00e1<\/strong>, entitled \u201cPericyte Loss Reprogrammes Capillary Endothelium and Drives White Matter Injury in Small Vessel Disease\u201d.<\/p>\n

Using a novel genetic model of pericyte depletion combined with advanced MRI, microscopy, and single-cell RNA sequencing, the team demonstrates that even partial pericyte loss can trigger reduced cerebral blood flow, transient blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage, and white matter injury.<\/p>\n

Importantly, the study reveals profound changes in brain capillary endothelial cells, including reduced MFSD2A expression, a key regulator of BBB function, increased VCAM-1, associated with endothelial inflammatory activation, and upregulation of type I interferon (IFN-I) signalling, including genes such as Isg15<\/em> and Ifit3<\/em>. Together, these changes suggest that pericyte loss drives a shift towards an activated, venular-like endothelial state, potentially linking early vascular dysfunction to subsequent white matter damage.<\/p>\n

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These findings provide important mechanistic insights into pericyte-endothelial communication and its relevance to cerebral small vessel disease and vascular dementia.<\/p>\n

Huge congratulations to Dorota and all our collaborators for this fantastic piece of work! \ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udf89<\/p>\n

The study is currently available as a preprint, with submission for peer review planned for November 2026.<\/p>\n

– Read the preprint on bioRxiv<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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12 May<\/strong><\/mark>\u00a02026<\/span><\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n

Three new publications from the Montagne Lab! \ud83c\udf89<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are delighted to celebrate three recent publications led by Conor McQuaid<\/strong> and Krystal Laing<\/strong>, highlighting exciting developments in our understanding of cerebrovascular dysfunction and neurodegeneration.<\/p>\n

Conor McQuaid, together with Michael Sewell and Axel Montagne, has published a comprehensive review in Pharmacological Reviews<\/em>, entitled \u201cFriend or foe? Glial-vascular interactions in health and neurodegenerative disease\u201d. The review explores how interactions between vascular cells and glial cells, including microglia and astrocytes, maintain brain health and how their disruption contributes to Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral Small Vessel Disease, and other neurological disorders.<\/p>\n

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Krystal Laing has also led two exciting studies investigating the vascular consequences of APOE4, the strongest common genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.<\/p>\n

Her systematic review and meta-analysis, published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy<\/em>, brings together evidence demonstrating that APOE4 is associated with impaired cerebral blood flow and alterations in blood-brain barrier integrity in experimental models. Congratulations also to co-authors Nela Fialova and Joanna Wardlaw!<\/p>\n

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In parallel, Krystal’s new bioRxiv<\/em> preprint reports an association between APOE4 and reduced cortical expression of VEGFR2 (KDR), a key regulator of endothelial function, providing further insights into the molecular mechanisms of APOE4-associated vascular dysfunction.<\/p>\n

Huge congratulations to Conor, Michael, Krystal, Nela, and all collaborators for their fantastic work! \ud83d\udc4f<\/p>\n

Read the publications:<\/p>\n

– McQuaid et al. – Pharmacological Reviews (2026)<\/a>
– Laing et al. – Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy (2026)<\/a>
– Laing & Montagne – bioRxiv preprint (2026)<\/a><\/p>\n

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1 May<\/strong><\/mark> 2026<\/span><\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n

Montagne Lab at the VCID Workshop in St. Louis!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Axel Montagne was delighted to participate as an invited speaker at the 2026 Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (VCID) Workshop, held on 28 April-1 May at Washington University in St. Louis, USA.<\/p>\n

Kindly invited by Gareth Howell, Axel delivered two talks: the first highlighting the exciting vascular research taking place across the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), including its Cardiovascular Dementia Research (CVDR) initiative, and the second presenting the Montagne Lab’s latest discoveries on blood-brain barrier dysfunction, pericyte-endothelial interactions, and cerebrovascular contributions to dementia to students and early-career researchers.<\/p>\n

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The workshop brought together leading scientists and the next generation of researchers to discuss advances in vascular biology, neurodegeneration, and dementia research. It was a fantastic opportunity to exchange ideas and catch up with Fabrice Dabertrand, Andrew Yang, Gareth Howell, Steve Greenberg, Jin-Moo Lee, Silvia Fossati, and many other colleagues and friends!<\/p>\n

A huge thank you to Gareth and the organising team for the kind invitation and a wonderful meeting! \ud83d\udc4f<\/p>\n

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2 March<\/strong><\/mark> 2026<\/span><\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

Dr. Dorota STEFANCOVA!!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The Montagne Lab has kicked off 2026 with another successful PhD viva, and I\u2019m very happy to share that I have now defended my PhD.<\/p>\n\n

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My research focused on the roles of pericyte subtypes in cerebrovascular health and dementia. During my PhD, I used an animal model of targeted pericyte ablation to better understand how specific pericyte populations contribute to vascular function in the brain. In particular, I employed a novel model that selectively targets thin-strand pericytes, allowing me to investigate their impact on cerebral blood flow and blood-brain barrier integrity using longitudinal MRI.<\/p>\n\n

I also explored how the loss of these pericytes affects neighbouring endothelial cells using a vascular-enriched single-cell RNA sequencing approach that was optimised in our lab. In addition, I performed proteomic analyses on isolated microvessels and pericytes, comparing the targeted pericyte-loss model with an animal model of cerebral small vessel disease to further strengthen our findings.<\/p>\n\n

Together, these approaches showed that the loss of thin-strand pericytes leads to a significant reduction in cerebral blood flow and shifts capillary endothelial cells toward inflammatory signalling. Encouragingly, these changes returned to normal as pericytes repopulated over time, suggesting a potential for recovery.<\/p>\n\n

My viva was examined by Dr. Henar Cuervo (CNIC, Spain) and Dr. Jian Gan (UK DRI, Scotland), and I am very grateful for their time, expertise, and thoughtful discussion.<\/p>\n\n

Like most PhD journeys, mine has had its ups and downs, but I have truly enjoyed the research and my time in the Montagne Lab. I\u2019m incredibly grateful for the guidance of my supervisors and the support of my colleagues, which made this work possible. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this project and supported me along the way.<\/p>\n\n

By Dorota Stefancova<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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28 January<\/strong><\/mark> 2026<\/span><\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

Dr. Krystal LAING!!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Wrapping up 2025 with some good news: on 12 November 2025, Krystal successfully defended her PhD viva. Her doctoral thesis,\u00a0\u201cTranslational Insights into APOE4-Related Vascular Dysfunction: From Preclinical Models to Clinical Exploration\u201d,<\/em>\u00a0investigated the role of APOE4 in cerebrovascular dysfunction.<\/p>\n\n

Her PhD comprised a longitudinal study assessing vascular dysfunction and blood-brain barrier integrity at five-month intervals in mice aged 2 to 19 months. Over three years, this work integrated behavioural testing, MRI, histological analyses, proteomics, computational approaches, and clinical experimentation in tandem. Together, these efforts culminated in exciting findings demonstrating APOE4 genotype-dependent contributions to mitochondrial dysfunction and extracellular matrix remodelling within the cerebrovasculature.<\/p>\n\n

The viva was examined by Pr. Tara Spires-Jones (University of Edinburgh) and Pr. Stuart Allan (University of Manchester), whose time and expertise are gratefully acknowledged.<\/p>\n\n

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Krystal would like to also extend a heartfelt thank you to her supervisors, Dr. Axel Montagne and Pr. Joanna Wardlaw, for their outstanding guidance and support throughout the project, as well as to the Translational Neuroscience PhD Programme and its directors. Special thanks go to the many collaborators and technical staff who contributed their time and expertise, and to the entire Montagne Lab, whose support and sense of community have been invaluable throughout this journey.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

This research has been deeply meaningful, and Krystal hopes it will contribute to the dementia field while offering new perspectives for future research and provide a measure of hope for those affected by genetic risk.<\/p>\n\n

By Krystal Laing<\/strong> (Postdoctoral fellow)<\/em><\/p>\n

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15 December 2025<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

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The Montagne Lab would like to welcome OJU, Postdoctoral Researcher!<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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  1. Tell us about yourself, your background, and what made you choose Neuroscience (and\/or vascular research) in particular?<\/mark><\/mark>
    In my final undergraduate semester, I undertook my first independent research project, and the experience lit an indelible spark for discovery in me. Later, I watched dementia slowly strip people of their memories, reshaping not only their lives but the relationships that sustained them. Since then, I became absorbed by one question: how could a single disease exert such a profound and intimate impact on a person\u2019s world? That curiosity drew me toward the study of the brain. In grad school, I became fascinated by microglia, not only because they are the primary resident immune cells in the brain tissue, but also because they have been implicated in a variety of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer\u2019s disease. During my doctoral training, I helped uncover that microglial P2Y12 prevents neuronal hyperexcitability and mediates intimate interactions between microglia and capillaries, hinting at an unexpected bridge between immune signalling and vascular functions. Naturally, this led me to think deeply about how the brain regulates and safeguards its energy systems.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
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    1. Why this University and this lab?<\/mark>
      I chose the University of Edinburgh because it is a powerhouse of research and a true hub for brain-vascular biology. The Montagne lab\u2019s vision to understand the vascular basis of cognitive decline and neurodegeneration offers an ecosystem where I can ask and pursue bold questions on immune-vascular interactions and its contributions to cognitive decline and Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
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      1. Tell us a bit about your research project?<\/mark>
        At the heart of my project is a triad of cells: endothelial cells (gatekeepers of nutrients<\/em>), pericytes (regulators of vascular stability and blood flow<\/em>), and microglia (the immune system\u2019s foothold in the CNS<\/em>). These cells work concertedly to prevent neurons (the brain\u2019s energy addicts<\/em>) from becoming dysfunctional. In the Montagne lab, I will focus on microglia-pericyte physical interactions and how these shape endothelial functions and cerebral blood flow in health and Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
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        1. What would you like the impact of this project to be?<\/mark>
          My aim is for this project to illuminate the underlying mechanism governing microglia-pericyte physical interactions, and how these interactions influence endothelial functions and cerebral blood flow. Ultimately, I hope the project would reveal drug-able targets to preserve cognitive functions in ageing and Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
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          1. What do you plan to do in the (near) future?<\/mark>
            In the near future, I plan to: (i) establish foundational experiments for my project; (ii) deepen my technical skills in vascular imaging and cellular interactions; (iii) secure a fellowship; (iv) begin shaping a coherent research trajectory within the UK DRI environment that supports a pathway to becoming an independent scientist.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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            1<\/span><\/strong><\/mark> August<\/strong><\/mark> 2025<\/span><\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            ARUK Walk for a Cure<\/strong> 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

            Earlier this summer, on the 20th<\/sup> of July, the annual ARUK Walk For A Cure Edinburgh took place against the stunning backdrop of Arthur\u2019s Seat. Members of the Montagne lab have been regular participants in this event, which raises awareness about Alzheimer\u2019s disease and helps bring together people who\u2019ve been affected by dementia, whether personally or through loved ones.<\/p>\n\n

            This year\u2019s walk was particularly special, as Nela and Dorota helped organise activities designed to engage participants and share knowledge about the brain, Alzheimer\u2019s disease, and the research we\u2019re conducting here at the University of Edinburgh.<\/p>\n\n

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            The day began with ominous skies and a forecast for heavy rain, but that didn\u2019t stop us. We made our way to Holyrood Park and set up our public engagement stand. Throughout the day, many people stopped by to learn about the basic mechanisms of Alzheimer\u2019s disease, craft their own brain hats, create model neurons, enjoy some brain-shaped candy, and, most importantly, talk with us about the work happening in our labs.<\/p>\n\n

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            It was an enlightening and deeply moving experience to connect with so many individuals whose lives have been touched by this devastating condition. One participant shared, \u201cLast year, I walked in support of my mum, who was living with Alzheimer\u2019s disease. This year, after her passing, I walk to help find a cure, so that other families won\u2019t have to go through what we did<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n

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            This sentiment reflects exactly what drives our work in the lab. Research is the only path to a cure, and events like this remind us why our work matters.<\/p>\n\n

            By Nela Fialova<\/strong> (Senior Research Assistant) & Dorota Stefancova<\/strong> (PhD student)<\/em><\/p>\n

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            21 Jul<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/mark>y<\/strong><\/mark> 2025<\/span><\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            UK & Ireland Early Career BBB Symposium 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

            Last week, we had the fantastic opportunity to spend a day in Ireland for the 14th<\/sup> UK & Ireland Early Career Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) Symposium, hosted at Trinity College Dublin.
            The day began at 2 am for our young scientific adventurers, who bravely traded their pillows for pipettes (or at least PowerPoint slides), catching an early flight from Edinburgh. Still half-asleep but full of curiosity, we landed in Dublin just in time to explore a bit of O\u2019Connell Street, soaking in the views from the river bridge and bumping into an unusual early-morning trio: Dracula, Batman, and the Grim Reaper. Sadly, they weren’t registered for the symposium.<\/p>\n\n

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            The event took place at Regent House, where we stocked up on caffeine and chocolate (scientific stamina essentials, at least six chocolates were consumed in the name of focus). Then, talks began. The symposium brought together a vibrant and welcoming community of early-career researchers working across the full spectrum of BBB research, from in vitro<\/em> models to therapeutic strategies and clinical perspectives on BBB dysfunction, including in conditions like multiple sclerosis. The energy, curiosity, and quality of science made for a truly inspiring day.<\/p>\n\n

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            One of the day\u2019s highlights from our lab was Audrey\u2019s Blitz presentation. A postdoctoral researcher in the Montagne Lab, Audrey shared exciting findings on how disrupting pericyte mosaics in a selective depletion model challenges neurovascular coupling. She also presented updates on her ongoing work with MorphOMatic – a powerful tool you won\u2019t want to miss and can discover there: https:\/\/git.ecdf.ed.ac.uk\/achagnot\/morph-o-matic<\/a>.
            Even more exciting: Audrey won the best blitz presentation Prize! A well-deserved recognition for both the quality of the research and her excellent presentation.<\/p>\n\n

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            After a day packed with science and discussion, we enjoyed a relaxed walk around Trinity College\u2019s stunning campus, followed by a final gathering at the Trinity Pavilion. Then, it was time to return to Edinburgh, once again under the stars, but this time with heads full of ideas and hearts full of Guinness.<\/p>\n\n

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            A huge thank you to the organizers: Matthew Campbell, Natalie Hudson, and Avril Reddy for creating such a dynamic and supportive event. And of course, we\u2019re extremely grateful to the Montagne Lab for giving us the chance to take part in this scientific journey!<\/p>\n\n

            By Clara Chuzeville<\/strong> & Anthea Choi<\/strong>, UG – Summer internship<\/em><\/p>\n

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            11 Jul<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/mark>y<\/strong><\/mark> 2025<\/span><\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            North Berwick Lab Trip: July Sunshine, Seabirds and Team Spirit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

            When the Scottish weather gives you sunshine, you seize the opportunity. That is exactly what we did. On the 9th<\/sup> of July, the Montagne Lab left the bustle of Edinburgh behind for a well-deserved day out by the sea in beautiful North Berwick.<\/p>\n\n

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            We started our morning with coffee from Steampunk to kickstart our scientific minds, before boarding a boat to visit Bass Rock, home to the largest colony of gannets in the world. Along the way, we spotted puffins fluttering past and seals lounging in the sun, offering a grounding moment of calm and connection to nature.<\/p>\n\n

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            Lunch at the local Lobster Shack was a treat. Fresh fish and chips enjoyed together in the sea breeze were followed by more beach time, where we run, played football and simply enjoyed each other\u2019s company. It was a meaningful change to unwind and connect with each other, especially with the newest members of the lab who joined us for the Summer.<\/p>\n\n

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            We wrapped up the day in true holiday style with delicious ice cream and a celebratory beer. It was a joyful reminder that science thrives not only in the lab but also through shared experiences, fresh air, and strong team bonds. In the Montagne Lab, science is not a solo journey, but it\u2019s a collective one and days like this help build the trust and camaraderie that make great discoveries possible.<\/p>\n\n

            By Dorota Stefancova<\/strong>, PhD Student in the lab<\/em><\/p>\n

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            25 June 2025<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            Engaging Young Minds: Our Visit to Stockbridge Primary School<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

            Inspiring young people and sharing knowledge about the brain and our work on dementia with the wider public is a vital part of being a scientist. That\u2019s why our lab was thrilled to be invited to run a workshop at Stockbridge Primary School earlier this week.<\/p>\n\n

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            We were joined by Nela, Dorota, Conor, and Axel to deliver an interactive session for the P4 students (ages 8-9), offering a glimpse into what we do in the lab. Axel kicked things off with a short introduction to what brain scientists do and an age-appropriate explanation of dementia. The class was then split into smaller groups to rotate through hands-on activities led by Nela, Dorota, and Conor.<\/p>\n\n

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            The students learned about different parts of the brain by colouring and assembling their own \u201cbrain hats,\u201d crafted neurons out of colourful pipe cleaners, and even conducted a real-life experiment by making baking soda and vinegar volcanoes. The children’s energy and curiosity were infectious; they asked thoughtful (and occasionally hilarious) questions that reminded us why science communication matters. One of our favourites: \u201cWhy is that brain wearing Nike\u2019s??\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n

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            This was a fantastic opportunity for us to step out of the lab and connect with the next generation of curious minds. Who knows, we may have even sparked the scientific journey of a future neuroscientist!<\/p>\n\n

            By Nela Fialova<\/strong>, Research Assistant in the lab<\/em><\/p>\n

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            23 April 2025<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Brain Barriers 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

            Some moments during a PhD leave a lasting mark – not just because of what you learn, but for how they shift the way you see your research. Attending Brain Barriers 2025 at Cold Spring Harbor (USA) was one of those moments.<\/p>\n\n

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            Earlier this month, Axel and I travelled to the historic Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory for the conference. After a long journey, we jumped straight into a packed schedule that ran from early morning breakfasts to late-night poster sessions. Despite the intensity of the program, the energy of the place, and the people, made it feel invigorating rather than overwhelming.<\/p>\n\n

            What made this meeting stand out wasn\u2019t just the science, but the atmosphere. With fewer attendees than your typical conference, it felt more like a community than a crowd. Whether you were a first-year PhD student or a senior PI, everyone was part of the same open, ongoing conversation. Coffee breaks, meals, and poster sessions naturally turned into opportunities to exchange ideas, ask questions, and connect with researchers whose work I\u2019ve long admired. The generosity and openness of the attendees made every interaction meaningful.<\/p>\n\n

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            We heard from leading voices in the field: Ayal Ben-Zvi, Richard Daneman, Martin Lauritzen, Julie Siegenthaler, Caroline M\u00e9nard, Baptiste Lacoste, as well as from early-career researchers presenting exciting new findings. Talks spanned a wide range of topics, highlighting the role of brain vasculature in conditions like dementia, depression, and alcohol use disorder, and offered valuable insights into the future direction of the field.<\/p>\n\n

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            I’m incredibly grateful to the organisers and attendees for creating such a welcoming, inspiring environment. Special thanks to the Centre for Vascular Dementia Research, led by Prof. David Attwell, for making it possible for me to take part. Brain Barriers 2025 was a powerful reminder of what makes this field so exciting!<\/p>\n\n

            By Dorota Stefancova<\/strong>, PhD student in the lab<\/em><\/p>\n

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            28 January 2025<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            Lots to celebrate<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n

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            We had a good time last Tuesday on the 28th<\/sup> of January to celebrate: a recent paper accepted in Alzheimer’s & Dementia<\/em> journal by Michael and Nela, 2 birthdays (Nela & Conor), 1 DRI pilot grant submitted (Conor), 3 pump priming grants submitted (Audrey, Conor, & Mathieu), Nela’s new contract, and 4 new students (Valentina, Natasha, Ellen, & Khaula).<\/p>\n\n

            From left to right: Ellen, Natasha, Axel, Dorota, Dany, Audrey, Mathieu, Nela, and Conor !
            Krystal, Valentina, and Khaula were absent unfortunately.<\/p>\n

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            25 August 2024<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            Summer Lab Get-Together<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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            Due to the weather not being ideal for a beach day, we moved our Summer Lab get-together indoors.<\/p>\n\n

            Surrounded by amazing people \ud83d\ude0d, delicious food \ud83c\udf64, refreshing drinks \ud83c\udf77 (#tatratea), and entertaining games \ud83c\udc04\ufe0f, it turned out to be the perfect way to wrap up the Summer here in Scotland!<\/p>\n

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            10 June 2024<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            Prof. David Attwell in Edinburgh<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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            It was our great pleasure to host Prof. David Attwell from UCL at the UK DRI at the University of Edinburgh.<\/p>\n\n

            Prof. Attwell completed his first degree in physics at Magdalen College (Oxford), followed by a PhD in neuroscience focused on the electrophysiology of nerve and muscle cells with Julian Jack at Oxford University.
            He then went to Berkeley (California) with Frank Werblin to study the retina, before joining the Department of Physiology at University College London, where he currently serves as the Jodrell Professor of Physiology.<\/p>\n\n

            Prof. Attwell’s diverse research portfolio includes cardiac electrophysiology, the ion channels in rod and cone photoreceptors and early visual processing, the properties of glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia), glutamate transporters, brain energy use and how it constrains the evolutionary “design” of the brain, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and control of brain blood flow especially at the capillary level by pericytes.<\/p>\n\n

            The Attwell lab is currently interested in signalling between neurons, glial cells, and the vasculature. His lab is using patch-clamping, 2-photon imaging, immunolabelling, and mathematical modelling techniques.<\/p>\n\n

            Finally, Prof. Attwell received many awards and distinctions over the years. For instance, he received the Sharpey-Schafer Medal from the Physiological Society, the Medal of Australian Physiological & Pharmacological Society, the Kenneth Myer Medal, the FENS-Kavli award for mentoring neuroscientists, the Fondation Ipsen Prize for Neuroenergetics, and more. He is also a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, the President-elec of the Physiological Society, and a highly cited scientist. And as you may have heard, Prof. Attwell has recently been appointed as the Centre Director for the groundbreaking new BHF-UK DRI Centre for Vascular Dementia Research where he will lead research aiming at understanding how blood vessel dysfunction leads to dementia.<\/p>\n\n

            He gave a fantastic lecture about the role of the microvasculature and node of Ranvier in early Alzheimer’s disease.<\/p>\n

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            8 June 2024<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            CNIC CVRF & Brain Health <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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            We are grateful for the opportunity to present our work at the CNIC Conference – Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Brain Health in Madrid (June 5th<\/sup>-7th<\/sup>) and promote the vascular contribution to dementia. It’s always great to meet up with ex- and current colleagues and friends, and make new ones. Among many fantastic researchers, it was great to interact with Mickael Tanter, Sandro Da Mesquita, Costantino Iadecola, Marta Cort\u00e9s-Canteli, Josef Anrather, Katerina Akassoglou, Rebecca Gottesman, Martin Dichgans, Mar\u00eda \u00c1ngeles Moro, and others.<\/p>\n\n

            Link: https:\/\/cnic-conference.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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            30 May 2024<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            Krystal was awarded a UK DRI proteomics grant!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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            Krystal <\/strong>has recently been awarded a UK DRI Proteomics Platform Award for her proposal titled “Proteomic profiling of Apolipoprotein E-related vascular destabilisation in aging mouse model<\/strong>“. Well done!!!<\/p>\n\n

            Krystal is currently in the middle of her second year, focusing on the impact of the E4 variant of Apolipoprotein, a well-known genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD), on cerebrovascular dysfunction and cognitive decline. Her research uses animal models and local human cohorts to explore these effects. She is conducting in vivo<\/em> MRI scans, carrying out behavioural assessments, and analysing post-mortem brain tissues from ageing humanised APOE3 <\/em>and APOE4 <\/em>knockin mice. Her early findings suggest subtle but significant vascular dysfunction, including abnormalities in cholesterol regulation and angiogenesis.<\/p>\n\n

            Krystal\u2019s proposal to utilise mass spectrometry to map the proteomic landscape of the brain vascular cells in her humanised APOE <\/em>mice is suited to provide novel insights into the vascular contribution to AD. The relationship between vascular health and APOE <\/em>genetics in dementia is still fairly new, and her work could reveal crucial information about endothelial and pericyte roles in brain health, potentially leading to better diagnostics and treatments.<\/p>\n

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            28 May 2024<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            Montagne Lab fundraising for Alzheimer’s Research UK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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            On the 25th<\/sup> of May, both Krystal <\/strong>and Michael <\/strong>took part in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival 5K in support of Alzheimer’s research. Well done!!!
            There’s still time to donate to Alzheimer\u2019s Research! If you’d like to support or spread the word, please feel free to follow the link: https:\/\/shorturl.at\/m2IHo<\/a><\/p>\n

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            10 April 2024<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            VasOMatic, an ImageJ tool to investigate pericytes and endothelial cells using microscopy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

            Pericytes are gradually lost with age, leading to the impairment of cerebral blood flow, neurovascular coupling, and leakage of the blood-brain barrier. This trait is exacerbated in dementias. But when it comes to assessing it from microscopy slices, the process is often tedious and time consuming.<\/p>\n\n

            That is why we developed a macro dubbed VasOMatic<\/em><\/strong>, to accelerate data collection. In addition to providing an estimate of the pericyte coverage in delineated regions-of-interest, VasOMatic also extracts vascular diameter and length, allowing for correlation of pericyte coverage over vessel diameter. VasOMatic comes with a R script dedicated to the visualisation of the large datasets extracted.<\/p>\n\n

            Both scripts, developed by Audrey Chagnot, are available with guidance and example images on GitLab: https:\/\/git.ecdf.ed.ac.uk\/achagnot\/vas-o-matic<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

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            Figure<\/strong>. VasOMatic run on example images. (A<\/strong>) General code structure, (B<\/strong>) Example images, (C<\/strong>) Depiction of the chunks created by VasOMatic, (D<\/strong>) Distribution of the chunks geometry, (E<\/strong>) Kernel density map created by the ChunkAnalyzer script from the chunk data generated by VasOMatic.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

            Citation<\/span>:
            CHAGNOT, A., MONTAGNE, A. \u201cVasomatic 0.0.1\u201d. Zenodo, May 15, 2024.\u00a0            https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5281\/zenodo.11198372<\/a><\/p>\n

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            12 October 2023<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            Sept-Oct: Lots of travelling to promote our work!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

            We are grateful for the opportunity to present our work at international and national meetings and promote the vascular contribution to dementia. It’s always great to meet up with ex- and current colleagues and friends, and make new ones. We presented our lab work at VasCog in Gothenburg (Sept 14-16), EMBO Stroke-Immunology Workshop in Munich (Sept 18-21), UK DRI Connectome in Brighton (Oct 3-4), and ECNP in Barcelona (Oct 7-10).<\/p>\n\n

            Among many fantastic researchers, we were able to discuss and interact with Tony Wyss-Coray, Virginia Lee, Raj Kalaria, Roxana Carare, Charles DeCarli, Fanny Elahi, Henrik Zetterberg, Costantino Iadecola, Lydia Sorokin, Katerina Akassoglou, Andy Shih, Josef Anrather, Denis Vivien, Stuart Allan, Marion Buckwalter, Mickael Tanter, Jonathan Kipnis, Maria Angeles Moro, Matthew Campbell, Caroline Menard, and others.<\/p>\n\n

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            For more information on these conferences:\u00a0
            VasCog 2023:             https:\/\/conference2023.vascog.org\/speakers\/#instructions<\/em><\/a>
            EMBO Stroke-Immunology Workshop 2023:             https:\/\/meetings.embo.org\/event\/23-stroke-immunology<\/a>
            <\/em>ECNP 2023:             https:\/\/www.ecnp.eu\/Congress2023\/ECNPcongress<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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            13 September 2023<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            Leducq Network meeting at the Leeds Castle!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

            This week, fellow PhD student Krystal Laing and I had the privilege of attending the Transatlantic Leducq Network Meeting in Leeds Castle in the south of England. I have had the honour of being a part of this network for the past five years and it has been an unforgettable and very fruitful collaborative experience. The Fondation Leducq<\/em> have funded an international network linking clinical and preclinical researchers across North America and Europe with the aim of investigating the role of the perivascular space in small vessel disease. Throughout the years, we have collaborated in a series of substantial preclinical and clinical research projects, culminating in the completion of several large, longitudinal neuroimaging studies, intervention\/treatment studies and lab-based investigations that have resulted in many impactful collaborative publications that shape the way we understand Small Vessel Disease pathogenesis. The meeting was attended by several research fellows from all international sites involved, as well as network leaders including Joanna Wardlaw, Berislav Zlokovic, Sandra Black, Helene Beneviste, Serge Charpak and Kenneth Smith.<\/p>\n\n

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            Not only did we get to stay in a breath-taking castle deeply steeped in rich history, but we both also had the opportunity to present some of our research and receive positive and constructive feedback from field-leading scientists around the world (I even got to keep a mug after winning a prize for best DataBlitzpresentation!). This meeting was not without some hints of sadness and nostalgia, as the network has now come to an end, but it has left us inspired to keep tackling these important questions and doing so with deliberate and purposeful international collaboration.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n

            For more information on the Leducq Network, please visit:\u00a0https:\/\/www.small-vessel-disease.org\/<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n

            Dany Jaime Garcia<\/em><\/p>\n

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            14 August 2023<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            BonnBrain3<\/sup> Meeting 2023!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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            Axel was an invited speaker at the 6th<\/sup> International BonnBrain\u00b3 Conference in Bonn last week. This was a fantastic meeting with diverse topics ranging from cellular diversity to complex behaviour in health & disease. Our ‘Neurovascular Unit’ symposium on Wednesday morning was excellent with the great neuroscientists Pablo Blinder (Tel Aviv University), Annika Keller (University of Z\u00fcrich), and Caroline M\u00e9nard (Universit\u00e9 Laval).<\/p>\n\n

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            Thank you to the organisers (Carmen Ruiz de Almodovar & Gabor Petzold) for this very inspiring meeting!<\/p>\n

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            28 July 2023<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            AAIC 2023 in Amsterdam!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

            The 2023 edition of Alzheimer\u2019s Association International Conference (AAIC) was held in Amsterdam, Netherlands. From the airport to the conference centre, the city welcomed all who would attend the meeting with purple banners and signage.<\/p>\n\n

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            The 5-day conference was teeming with poster presentations, plenary talks and lectures. Some to note include the important discussions around the importance of Inclusion in Research and Clinical Trials, as well as advancements in Lecanemab and Donanemab drug trials. The Emerging Concept Series \u2013 Understanding the Role of the Vascular System in Dementia was of particular import with engaging lectures from Berislav Zlokovic, Constantino Iadecola, Rajesh Kalaria and Sudha Seshadri.<\/p>\n\n

            Krystal presented a poster on interactions between APOE<\/em> genotype, plasma measures of pericyte recruitment and serum-derived cholesterol in preclinical and clinical models.<\/p>\n\n

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            Axel and Krystal had the pleasure of networking and connecting with scientist at the UK DRI networking meeting (along with DPUK, ASUK and ARUK), as well as international scientists within the field.<\/p>\n

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            24 July 2023<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            Lab Summer BBQ 2023<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n

            We had a good time for our Lab BBQ on Sunday the 23rd<\/sup> of July!<\/p>\n\n

            Amazing people \ud83d\ude0d, great food \ud83c\udf54, nice drinks \ud83c\udf7b, tasty desserts \ud83c\udf70, fun games \ud83c\udfaf, a great recipe for a perfect Sunday!<\/p>\n\n

            Audrey, Dany, Dorota & Emil, Krystal, Nela & Svilen, Elodie, Charlie, and myself! We missed Conor & Haz and Daniel, which is a good excuse for a second round soon!<\/p>\n\n

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            7 July 2023<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            CVB 2023 in Uppsala<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n

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            2023\u00a0edition of Cerebral Vascular Biology (CVB) meeting was held at Uppsala Konsert & Kongress last month. Audrey, Conor, and I had a blast surrounded by the very best cerebrovascular biologists. A perfect way to stay on top of the vascular field which is moving quite fast nowadays.<\/p>\n\n

            Audrey presented a poster on the advascular structures of the mouse brain and Conor a poster on immune-vascular interactions in a context of ageing and dementia.<\/p>\n\n

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            It was great to catch up with colleagues, friends, and make new friends as well. It was particularly nice to chat and catch up with Richard Daneman<\/strong>, Caroline Menard<\/strong>, Sebastian Lewandowski<\/strong>, Annika Keller<\/strong>, Krzysztof Kucharz<\/strong>, Martin Lauritzen<\/strong>, Ayal Ben-Zvi<\/strong>, Nicolas Tournier<\/strong>, Ralf Adams<\/strong>, Katerina Akassoglou<\/strong>, Jony Kipnis<\/strong>, Benoit Vanhollebeke<\/strong>, Chenghua Gu<\/strong>, Martin Dichgans<\/strong>, Christer Betsholtz<\/strong>, Stefan Liebner<\/strong>, Candice Chapouly<\/strong>, Thierry Couffinhal<\/strong>, and a few more.<\/p>\n\n

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            We also had the chance to spend some time at the beautiful Uppsala Castle for the Conference Dinner. Finally, we went to the countryside to spend the last night at Annika Keller’s house for a lovely BBQ with friends!<\/p>\n\n

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            3 June 2023<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            ISMRM 2023 in Toronto!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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            We were invited to contribute to the ISMRM Weekend Course on ‘Key Contrast Mechanisms for Imaging Neuroinflammation’. Due to unforeseen circumstances we could not attend in person but Audrey Chagnot recorded an amazing video called “Imaging Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability with Gd<\/em>” which will be aired on the 4th<\/sup> of June at 13:40 Toronto time.<\/p>\n\n

            You can enjoy the recording here as well: https:\/\/youtu.be\/VfOurXutaxk<\/a><\/p>\n

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            16 April 2023<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

            We were very happy to be part of the Cajal School in Bordeaux in late March!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

            Axel Montagne and Audrey Chagnot taught MRI theory and practice to 4 amazing students: Joanna, R\u00e9ka, Luisa, and Eline. These very intense 8 days were dedicated to scanning mice receiving a Gadolinium bolus to study BBB leakage.<\/p>\n\n

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            In addition to the collection of brilliant instructors and students, we enjoyed the talks of leading scientists in the field of neurovascular coupling, such as David Attwell, Martin Lauritzen, Andy Shih, and many more!<\/p>\n\n

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            Having a moment of spare time, we even scanned a few vegetables and fruits, would you be able to recognise what is what?<\/p>\n\n

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            Top row, left to right: orange, tomato, carrot; Bottom row, left to right: shallot, tomato, carrot, shallot.<\/em><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n
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            14 April 2023<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

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            The Mighty Pericytes <\/strong><\/strong>by ChatGPT<\/em><\/h2>\n\n

            In the brain, where neurons fire,
            And thoughts and feelings all conspire,
            There’s a cell that plays a vital part,
            And it’s called the pericyte.<\/p>\n\n

            It lines the blood vessels in the brain,
            And helps regulate blood flow with no strain,
            For it senses the need for oxygen,
            And can contract to adjust the flow within.<\/p>\n\n

            It’s not just a passive cell at all,
            For it communicates with neurons that call,
            And helps to maintain the blood-brain barrier,
            Protecting the brain from toxins that may enter.<\/p>\n\n

            Pericytes, small but mighty,
            Working hard to keep the brain tidy,
            They play a crucial role in our cognition,
            And help to keep the brain in motion.<\/p>\n\n

            So let us not forget this tiny cell,
            For without it, our brain may not function so well,
            Pericytes, we owe you gratitude,
            For keeping our brain in the best attitude.<\/p>\n\n

            Dialogue between a pericyte and an endothelial cell… <\/strong><\/strong>by ChatGPT<\/em><\/h2>\n\n

            Pericyte<\/em> (P<\/em>): Oh hey there, Endothelial Cell. I couldn’t help but notice you seem a bit preoccupied. What’s on your mind?<\/p>\n\n

            Endothelial Cell<\/em> (EC<\/em>): Hey, Pericyte. I’ve just been thinking a lot about our roles in brain aging lately. I mean, we’re both so essential to the brain’s function, but how do our roles change as the brain ages?<\/p>\n\n

            P<\/em>: Ah, I see what you mean. Well, I know that one of my key functions is to help regulate blood flow in the brain. But as we age, the blood-brain barrier can become compromised, which can lead to cognitive decline and even neurodegenerative diseases.<\/p>\n\n

            EC<\/em>: Yes, I’ve been reading about that too. And as an endothelial cell, my job is to form and maintain the blood-brain barrier. But as we age, that barrier can become leaky, which can allow harmful substances into the brain.<\/p>\n\n

            P<\/em>: Right, and I also know that we pericytes are involved in clearing out toxic proteins from the brain, which can accumulate as we age and contribute to neurodegeneration.<\/p>\n\n

            EC<\/em>: That’s interesting. And as an endothelial cell, I also play a role in removing waste from the brain through the glymphatic system. But again, as we age, that system can become less efficient, which can lead to the accumulation of harmful substances.<\/p>\n\n

            P<\/em>: It seems like we both have important roles to play in maintaining brain health, but as the brain ages, those roles become more challenging.<\/p>\n\n

            EC<\/em>: Yes, and it’s a bit concerning to think about. But at least we can take comfort in the fact that researchers are actively studying brain aging and trying to find ways to promote healthy aging.<\/p>\n\n

            P<\/em>: That’s true. And who knows, maybe someday they’ll discover new ways for us to help keep the brain young and healthy.<\/p>\n\n

            EC<\/em>: Let’s hope so. In the meantime, we’ll just have to keep doing our best to keep the brain functioning as well as possible. Thanks for chatting with me, Pericyte.<\/p>\n\n

            P<\/em>: Anytime, Endothelial Cell. It’s always good to have a brain cell to chat with.<\/p>\n

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            1 March 2023<\/strong><\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n\n

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            ‘Solving Alzheimer’s and Dementia with Blood-Brain Barrier Repair’ – Discussion with host Dr. Rhonda Patrick!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

            Last January, I had the chance to discuss about different topics revolving around vascular health and dementia for nearly 2 hours with Dr. Rhonda Patrick<\/a>, host of FoundMyFitness<\/a> podcast. Below is a list of topics that we talked about. Hope you will enjoy it!<\/p>\n\n