CREW Study

There is an increase in relatively young women with a cerebral infarction. The CREW-MIST study investigates why these women have a greater risk of this. For the study, women between the ages of 40 and 60 who have either had a stroke (cerebral infarction) or who have a stroke and migraine are compared with women who have not had a stroke or TIA.

Why is this research important?

The CREW study is a research consortium commissioned by the Hartstichting (Dutch Heart Foundation). Bij zowel mannen als vrouwen zijn beroertes (herseninfarcten) een veel voorkomende vaatziekte. The CREW consortium focuses on cardiovascular risk factors in young women. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women and men, but current risk prediction models do not take into account the specific risks that may apply only to females. Stroke (cerebral infarction), for example, is common in both men and women. Our knowledge about stroke is expanding, but it remains unclear how certain factors that are specific for young females are involved in the development of stroke. Voorbeelden van dit soort factoren zijn zwangerschap en pilgebruik. Examples of such female factors include pregnancy and the use of oral contraception. Een andere factor die mogelijk een rol speelt is migraine, een hoofdpijnvorm die drie keer vaker voorkomt bij vrouwen dan bij mannen. Another factor that may play a role in the causation of stroke is migraine, which occurs three times more often in women than in men. Met dit onderzoek proberen wij te ontdekken welke vrouwen precies een hoger risico hebben op het ontwikkelen van hart- en vaatziekten, waaronder herseninfarcten. With this study we aim to find out which factors make women at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including stroke. By performing an MRI scan of the brain and heart and by looking at blood perfusion of the skin of the arm we hope to be able to assess ‘vascular health’ in female participants. Together with medical information gained from an extensive questionnaire, we aim to improve the identification of the women who are at risk.

For practical reasons it is only possible to participate in this study if you are living in the Netherlands. More information can be found on the Dutch version of this web page.

Study results

At this moment we are no longer looking for participants for the CREW-MIST study. All data collected is analyzed by researchers. We will keep you informed of the progress and possible outcomes of the investigation via a newsletter. Because this is a project in the context of scientific research, you will not receive a personal result.