``This research broadens how we define a good outcome. I don’t think it’s just about survival or absence of huge strokes, but making sure that the person’s cognitive and emotional well-being remains unchanged, and making sure that the patient who wakes up after the treatment is exactly the same person that went to sleep.``
Watch the full interview with Dr Jorn Van Der Veken below.
Project Summary:
Brain aneurysms are bulges that form in the blood vessels of the brain. They are found in about 2–3% of people. While most never cause any problems and are discovered by chance, some can burst without warning and lead to a serious and often life-threatening brain bleed.
When an aneurysm is found by accident – before it causes any symptoms – doctors must weigh the risks of treating it against the chances it might eventually rupture. The safer the treatment, the more likely doctors recommend it, even for smaller aneurysms.
In recent years, many new tools and techniques have been developed to make these treatments safer and less invasive. As a result, more aneurysms – especially smaller ones – are being treated. However, we still do not fully understand the true effects of these treatments. In particular, we know very little about how they might affect a person’s memory, thinking, and overall brain function.
This study aims to better understand how treating unruptured aneurysms might impact the patient’s cognitive function. We hope our results will help doctors choose the right patients for treatment, provide clearer information during decision-making, and ultimately lead to better patient outcomes.
The Brain Foundation is dedicated to funding the next generation of Australian research into brain disorders, diseases, and injuries, with the ultimate goal of advancing diagnoses, treatments, and patient outcomes.