MEDAL – Multimodal Evaluation using Devices for the Assessment of dysautonomia and ambulatory bLood pressure
Description: In Flanders, arterial hypertension affects 30% of adults (>30 years) and even 65% of persons older than 65 years. Despite the high incidence and related risks such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and dementia, the underlying mechanisms of blood pressure disturbances remain unclear. Dysautonomia, a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, is increasingly recognized as a contributor to blood pressure (BP) dysregulation, yet its impact on daily-life and context-dependent BP variability remains unknown. This knowledge gap also limits our understanding of differential medication effects, complicating BP assessment and treatment. The scarcity of datasets capturing physiological and pharmacological dimensions stems from the lack of technology for accurate, continuous autonomic measurement. We will tackle these gaps by establishing the MEDAL research platform, integrating Finapres Nova NC, Cardiology tilt table (AGA-Sanitätsartikel – EKAT-1060/EE), and Spacelabs OnTrak 24-hour BP devices, to study: a) high-resolution phenotyping of autonomic dysfunction, b) entropy in ageing via continuous autonomic monitoring, and c) mechanisms of autonomic adaptability. MEDAL will support future research on hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, blood pressure variability and personalized interventions, while enabling academic and industrial collaborations to develop treatment/devices, evidenced by expressions of interest by 23 members from (inter)national knowledge institutions and companies.
Funder: Vlaamse regering
Funding type: grant
Funder scheme: BOF - scientific equipment program
Start date: 2026-05-01
End date: 2030-04-30
Investigator: Stephane Steurbaut
Institution: VUBrussel
Funded outputs count: 0
Funder award ID: OZR/2026/0628g
OpenAlex ID: G4860823394