NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Advanced changes in NOTCH3 and brain blood vessel disease

Official title: Advanced conformational changes in NOTCH3 and cerebrovascular disease severity

Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-11458591 · Data updated 2026-11-12

Researchers are studying how changes in NOTCH3 contribute to brain blood vessel problems that worsen dementia in veterans.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVeterans Health Administration
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project startApril 1, 2017
Project endSeptember 30, 2029
Funding year2027
NIH project number5I01BX003824-10
Project IDNIH-11458591 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients with vascular brain disease, CADASIL, or other NOTCH3-related vascular cognitive impairment may be relevant for this research.

Less likely to help

Individuals without vascular brain disease or NOTCH3-related pathology may have little direct benefit.

What this research studies

This project looks at how specific alterations in the NOTCH3 protein affect brain blood vessels and how these changes relate to vascular cognitive impairment and dementia in people with vascular brain disease. Researchers will examine the sequence of NOTCH3 changes that occur with CADASIL and how they lead to the release of the NOTCH3 N-terminal fragment, seeking links to disease severity. The study builds on patient-derived observations and laboratory experiments to connect molecular changes with brain vascular damage and cognitive outcomes. Findings could point toward new targets for therapies that protect brain vessels and slow dementia progression.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify molecular targets to develop treatments that protect brain blood vessels and slow dementia in affected individuals.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has linked NOTCH3 alterations to CADASIL, and this project aims to extend those findings to broader vascular dementia contexts.

Where this research is happening

  • Veterans Health Administration
    Ann Arbor, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Wang, Michael M — Veterans Health Administration
  • Study coordinator: Wang, Michael M

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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  • Midlife heart stress and later brain health

    This project looks at how stress-related changes in blood pressure during midlife may relate to early brain changes linked to dementia.

    NIH research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, United States · NIH-11397337

  • Finding hidden small strokes and white matter damage on routine brain scans with AI

    Using artificial intelligence to spot unnoticed brain blood-vessel damage on routine CT or MRI scans to help people at risk for stroke and dementia.

    NIH research Tufts Medical Center · Boston, United States · NIH-11285315

  • How changes in NOTCH3 affect brain blood vessel disease

    Researchers are looking at whether specific changes in the NOTCH3 protein are linked to worse brain blood vessel disease and higher dementia risk, especially among Veterans.

    NIH research Veterans Health Administration · Ann Arbor, United States · NIH-11213915

  • Imaging library for stroke and vascular brain disease

    Building a shared collection of brain scans to help researchers better understand and treat stroke and other blood‑vessel problems in the brain.

    NIH research Broad Institute, INC. · Cambridge, United States · NIH-11178352

  • Tau buildup and blood vessel disease in Mexican American adults with Alzheimer's

    Using brain PET scans and AI, this project looks for tau protein buildup and cerebrovascular disease in Mexican American adults across the Alzheimer's spectrum to help detect disease earlier and predict memory decline.

    NIH research University of Texas Hlth Science Center · San Antonio, United States · NIH-11169830

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.