July 2024 – ISD research teams gathered for the annual scientific retreat to present their projects and discuss science. The meeting included presentations from Ph.D. students, an evening poster session, invited speaker talks, and a three minute thesis competition. The meeting further served as an opportunity to familiarize people with the medium- and long-term strategy of ISD.

International Review by the ISD Scientific Advisory Board

June 2024 – Every two years, an international committee of scientific advisors evaluates ISD's research activities and makes recommendations for future direction. The first day of the meeting was dedicated to an in-depth review of three selected research groups. The second day featured an overview of research highlights presented through a series of presentations and poster sessions led by Postdoctoral Fellows and PhD students.

Rare and common HTRA1 variants affect stroke risk via two independent mechanisms

May 2024 – Combining genetic analyses in large international biobanks with experimental studies on human cells, ISD investigators found that rare HTRA1 variants affect vascular risk via a loss of enzymatic function of the HTRA1 protease, whereas a common causal variant independently affects vascular risk by influencing the circulating HTRA1 mRNA and protein levels. They further uncovered a complex relationship with other diseases including migraine and macular dystrophy. >>

30th Workshop of the International Stroke Genetics Consortium

April 2024 – The ISD is organising this year's International Stroke Genetics Consortium (ISGC) workshop, held on LMU campus at the St.-Vinzenz-Haus of LMU Hospital close to the city center from April 24 to April 26, 2024. Aside from Keynote Lectures and Scientific Sessions featuring original science presented by renowned experts in different scientific fields there are social activities and networking events that will allow participants to explore Munich’s rich history and culture>>

Advanced Brain Science Without Coding Expertise

April 2024 – Researchers at ISD and Helmholtz Munich introduce DELiVR, offering a new AI-based approach to the complex task of brain cell mapping. The deep learning tool democratizes advanced neuroscience by eliminating the need for coding expertise. DELiVR empowers biologists to efficiently explore disease-related spatial cell dynamics, fostering the development of precision therapies for enhanced patient care. >>

Dysregulation of vesicular transport pathways during BEC aging

March 2024 – A proteomic profiling study on brain endothelial cells (BEC) by ISD investigators reveals a dysregulation of key regulators of endocytosis and receptor recycling (most prominently Arf6), macropinocytosis, and lysosomal degradation during aging. The study identified changes undetected in transcriptomic studies such as an accumulation of vesicle cargo and receptor ligands including Apoe. | Data are accessible via an interactive database https://becaging.de/

Role of CXCL10 as a causal mediator in Atherosclerosis

February 2024 – Integrating genetic information from >520,000 individuals with data from plasma proteomics, the team of Marios Georgakis identified a proteomic signature of IL-6 signaling activation and mediators of its effects on cardiovascular disease. Their analyses suggest, that the interferon-γ-inducible chemokine CXCL10 is a potentially causal mediator for atherosclerosis in different vascular beds (coronary, cerebral, and peripheral arteries) and could serve as a promising drug target for atheroprotection. >>

Changes in synapses related to protein 43 (GAP-43) speed up the spread of tau in AD

January 2024 – A combined neuroimaging and biofluid biomarker study investigated whether synaptic changes are associated with accelerated tau spreading in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Higher levels of the presynaptic protein GAP-43 speed up the spread of tau in AD. These findings by Nico Franzmeier (ISD) and others are relevant for developing treatments to slow down the progression of the disease. >>

Decoding strokes silent saboteurs

December 2023 – A study by Josh Shrouder within the Plesnila lab, together with collaborators reveals how dysfunction of capillary pericytes aggravates no-reflow after ischemic stroke. These longitudinal in vivo results challenge the notion that pericytes are terminally susceptible to ischemia, and demonstrate how acute interventions targeting pericyte constriction could be harnessed to accelerate the restoration of capillary blood flow and improve stroke outcome. >>

Influence by Imitation

November 2023 – A study by the BernhagenLab and collaborators shows that specific plant proteins resemble human signaling proteins of the immune system and can bind to their receptors. While representing basic cross-discipline research, the work might have translational implications, as the receptors are drivers of cardiovascular diseases and inflammation.>>

Identifying optimal treatment windows for patients at risk of Alzheimer's

November 2023 – A study by Anna Steward and Nicolai Franzmeier reveals that ApoE4 carriers experience faster and earlier disease progression due to amyloid's impact on tau. These results urge earlier intervention for ApoE4 carriers who show reduced efficacy in response to anti-amyloid drugs. This insight, crucial for 40-60% of sporadic AD cases, suggests a potential shift in therapy approaches, advocating for tailored clinical studies to validate this new paradigm. >>

Martin Dichgans among „Highly Cited Researchers 2023”

November 2023 – Of the world’s population of scientists, Highly Cited Researchers™ are 1 in 1,000. The current list from Clarivate identifies researchers who demonstrated significant influence in their field through the publication of highly cited papers. >>

2nd BRENDA-LEDUCQ Meeting, Munich, Germany

October 2023 – The meeting started with a lecture Fabrice Dabertrand, University of Colorado: “From impaired cerebral blood flow to cognitive impairment“. Following this, the Early Career investigators went downtown for a Munich Experience event. The following days were filled with stimulating discussion and new ideas for collaborations. The whole team is exicted about the work ahead.>>

Frontline results of the TREAT-SVDs trial

October 2023 – Main results from TREAT-SVDs, an EU funded multicenter, open-label, randomised, crossover trial were presented at the European Stroke Organisation Conference (ESOC) in Munich and recently published in the Lancet Neurolgy. The results show that four weeks of treatment with amlodipine, losartan, or atenolol did not differ in their effects on cerebrovascular reactivity in people with sporadic small vessel disease but did result in differential treatment effects in patients with CADASIL. >>

Skull: A key new player in the neuro-immune axis

August 2023 – Neuroimmune interactions exhibit remarkable complexity, and exploring brain borders has gained significant attention in the quest for innovative approaches to diagnose, monitor, and treat brain pathologies. The recent discovery of connections between the skull and meninges has brought the skull into focus. A large collaborative research team led by the Erturk lab extensively examined the molecular and structural aspects of the skull in both mice and humans. Their findings demonstrated that skull inflammation can serve as an indicator of brain inflammation in patients suffering from diverse neurological disorders. >>

wildDISCO: A Revolutionary Whole Mouse Body Mapping Technique

July 2023 – Researchers at the Erturk lab have introduced wildDISCO, a groundbreaking method that utilizes standard antibodies to achieve deep penetration into the whole mouse body, generating high-resolution 3D atlases of neurons, immune cells, the vasculature, and lymphatic vessels. With unprecedented insights into anatomical and functional connections among multiple organs and systems, wildDISCO promises to revolutionize disease understanding, drug development, and medical education. >>

ISD Research Retreat

July 2023 – ISD research teams gathered for the annual scientific retreat to present their projects and discuss science. The meeting included presentations from Ph.D. students, an evening poster session, invited speaker talks, and focused workshops such as the one on AI by Hannah Spitzer. The meeting further served as an opportunity to familiarize people with the medium- and long-term strategy of ISD.