PPARGC1β and CNTN4 Genotype Aspirin Study

Heart attacks and strokes are common causes of death worldwide. These events occur in part, due to increased activity of platelets, which cause clotting (thrombosis) within heart and brain blood vessels. Anti-platelet therapies (e.g. aspirin) reduce the likelihood of platelet thrombosis and therefore protect against heart attacks and strokes. However serious bleeding into the gut and brain occurs in a number of individuals prescribed aspirin. Currently, there is no reliable method for assessing the relative risks of thrombosis versus bleeding in individual patients prior to or during aspirin therapy. We have recently discovered that individuals with a particular genetic make-up, those with genetic variants in two genes called PPARGC1β and CNTN4, demonstrate more active (sticky) platelets. We then found that these same individuals suffered a greater number of cardiovascular events. Interestingly, low dose aspirin suppressed the excessive platelet stickiness and protected against heart attacks and strokes in these patients. In this project, we aim to confirm and extend the above findings. We hope that testing for PPARGC1β and CNTN4 genetic variants will allow us to identify which patients will benefit from low dose aspirin therapy - i.e. receive protection from heart attacks and strokes, but not suffer any bleeding complications.