Metabolic Syndrome and Mental Stress

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) still represents the main cause of death within the Western world. Due to rapidly growing rates of overweight and obesity at increasingly younger ages, the burden of the metabolic syndrome becomes more and more prominent. The metabolic syndrome - a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors - represents the principal forerunner of diabetes and CVD. Accumulating evidence suggests that psychosocial, neuroendocrine, immunogenic, and oxidative stress play an essential role in the development of MS and diabetes. The role of mental stress is not yet fully clarified, but plausible patho-physiological mechanisms involve direct neuroendocrine responses (in the autonomic nervous system and in several hormonal pathways) and indirect effects by adverse health behaviours. Furthermore, recent studies have shown associations between psycho-social stress and increased risk for CVD. Although there is an extensive literature on the association of psychological stress, metabolic syndrome and CVD, the pathophysiological pathways have to be elucidated further to facilitate the design of treatment and prevention strategies. The proposed Schroedinger project will assess the role of mental stress, subclinical depression and metabolic syndrome in association with traditional CV risk factors at the Ottawa Heart Institute Prevention and Rehabilitation Centre (HIPRC), Canada. In addition, a possible impact of stress on markers of aging (telomere lengthelomerase activity), cortisol levels and proinflammatory as well as prothrombotic changes will be studied in the context of MS. The HIPRC is recognized as one of North Americas leading institutions for primary and secondary prevention and offers the unique possibility to recruit a cross-sectional study population at both cardiovascular risk and with manifest CVD. The Schroedinger applicant Dr. Sabine Steiner-Boeker will manage the multi-disciplinary project including data collection and laboratory analyses under direct supervision of the experienced project initiator, Prof. Dr. George Fodor. The outstanding experience and specific knowledge in epidemiology and prevention at the Ottawa Heart Institute will contribute significantly to enhance research and treatment strategy development at the home institution of Dr. Steiner-Boeker, the Medical University Vienna. The acquired lab technologies, project management and biostatistical skills as well as the inherent integration to an excellent international scientific network will facilitate her subsequent research projects on the topic.