"Aneurysms and Polycystic Kidney Disease"When: September 22nd, 2013, 2pm - 4pm
Where: St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Classroom B (T2208), 2nd Floor, Juravinski Tower, 50 Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 4A6
Speaker: Dr. Ivan Radovanovic
Brain aneurysms are an acquired disease of the cerebral vessels and are present in 2 to 3 % of the general population. Brain aneurysms have a propensity to rupture and cause a type of hemorrhagic stroke called a subarachnoid haemorrhage. While only 9 in 100,000 people experience an aneurysm rupture every year, the morbidity induced by such an event makes the understanding of the natural history of these lesions and the elaboration of objective criteria predicting aneurysm rupture critical.
The biological basis of aneurysm formation is poorly understood. Factors such as smoking and arterial hypertension are demonstrated risk factor for aneurysm progression and rupture. Most aneurysms are sporadic, but there are families where the incidence of aneurysms is higher that the general population. Most of the time familial aneurysms do not have an identified genetic cause; however a few genetic conditions are linked to brain aneurysm formation. Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease is one of such genetic diseases. Approximatively 5 to7 % of young adults with ADPKD have a cerebral aneurysm. The frequency increases to 12-15 when a first degree relative has had a brain aneurysm or when the patient has a previous history of aneurysm rupture.
As in the general population, screening is recommended in ADPKD patients with first degree relatives with a known aneurysm. PKD1 and PKD2 genes that are mutated in Polycystic Kidney Disease are likely to play a role in vessel biology and their dysfunction lead to aneurysm formation. Scientific knowledge from PKD1 and 2 mutations in vascular biology may lead to a better understanding of aneurysm formation not only in Polycystic Kidney Disease but also in the general population not affected by a specific genetic condition.
Dr. Ivan Radovanovic joined the faculty of the Division of Neurosurgery at Toronto Western Hospital in January this year. He is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at The University of Toronto. His research is focused on the surgical management of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms, Arteriovenous Malformations and dural arteriovenous fistulae, using minimally invasive techniques such as supraorbital and lateral supraorbital craniotomies. His research laboratory is within the Toronto Western Research Institute and focuses on the developmental signaling and genetics of cerebral arteriovenous malformations and brain tumors.
This presentation is part of an ongoing series of two-hour informational support meetings hosted by the Hamilton Chapter of The PKD Foundation of Canada. They are open to the public, free of charge and the venue is wheelchair accessible. Local street parking (free) and hospital parking (payment required) is available. Registration is not required.
More information about PKD is available on The PKD Foundation of Canada website.
<a href="
http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/brain-researcher-says-improved-stroke-prevention-may-stem-understanding-genetics-certain-brain-aneur">Brain Researcher Says Improved Stroke Prevention May Stem From Understanding Genetics of Certain Brain Aneurysms</a>
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