Led by the Bordeaux University Hospital (CHU de Bordeaux) and the VBHI Institute, the « VBHI – Innovation & Prevention clinic », directed by Pr Igor Sibon, interim Director of VBHI, will be officially launched on March 23.
A prevention clinic dedicated to cerebral small vessel disease.
The creation of the VBHI prevention clinic is part of a broader effort to prevent cerebral small vessel disease, a silent or “occult” vascular brain disorder, meaning it presents no clinical signs of stroke or associated dementia.
Located within the Neurology Department of Pellegrin Hospital – CHU de Bordeaux, the VBHI prevention clinic will strengthen prevention of this condition, foster medical innovation, and improve coordination between community-based and hospital care. To date, it is the only facility of this scale dedicated to the prevention of cerebral small vessel disease.
What is cerebral small vessel disease?
Although little known and difficult to identify, this disease is nevertheless extremely common in the general population.
It can only be detected through brain imaging and is one of the leading causes of stroke, cognitive disorders and dementia, loss of independence, and death.
The risk of developing this disease increases with age. However, its progression can be slowed and limited through improved diagnosis, identification of its causes, and the implementation of preventive measures.
The prevention clinic therefore has several objectives:
- to support the development of a care network dedicated to preventing stroke and cognitive disorders in affected patients,
- to address the current lack of coordinated care among healthcare providers.
Optimized and Tailored Care
The VBHI Prevention Clinic now provides access to a structured assessment pathway conducted over two separate half-days:
First assessment:
- blood sampling for biological testing (cholesterol, blood glucose, etc.)
- comprehensive cognitive assessment (memory, attention, executive function, language, praxis, etc.) conducted by a neuropsychologist and a neurologist
- implementation of tools for screening for high blood pressure
Second assessment:
- analysis and management of hypertension, a major risk factor
- dietary assessment
- physiotherapy evaluation focusing in particular on motor functions and their interaction with cognitive functions
The multidisciplinary team driving the clinic includes:
- Dr. Nicolas Borderies, vascular neurologist at the prevention clinic
- Agathe Rousseau, psychologist specializing in neuropsychology
- Pascale Michel, Clinical Research Associate
- nurses
- dietitians
- physiotherapists
- for ophthalmological examinations: Alexandre Morvan, orthoptist, and Professor Jean-François Korobelnik, ophthalmologist
- Morgane Gaboreau-Lachaize, Head of the Clinical Accelerator, responsible for the smooth running of clinical activities and supervision of the VBHI clinical team
- Professor Igor Sibon, Head of the Prevention Clinic
- expert patients
The clinic provides an innovative healthcare model combining:
- diagnosis of the causes of cerebral small vessel disease
- assessment of its functional, cognitive, emotional, and motor consequences
- personalized patient support and follow-up, including therapeutic education aimed at improving control of vascular risk factors
- research into new biomarkers through brain, retinal, and cardiac imaging, as well as blood analysis
The Patient as the Central Figure in Their Care Journey
The patient plays a central role in their own care pathway.
Digital technologies are used to engage and support patients in becoming active participants in their care plan and in sharing their experiences in order to:
- reduce social isolation
- promote mutual support
- facilitate access to healthcare
Patient associations, such as the public-interest organization AVC Tous Concernés, will also be directly involved and in close interaction with both the clinic and patients.
More information:
OC