Aging vs Alzheimer's: brain blood vessels and new brain cells in memory areas
Official title: Comparison of normal aging with Alzheimer's Disease: cellular, synaptic, and vascular indices affecting brain plasticity and neurogenesis
Funded at New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-11336848 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how aging and Alzheimer’s disease affect brain blood vessels and new brain cells in a key memory area, and what that means for brain flexibility and aging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $736,852 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG080790-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11336848 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults, including those with Alzheimer’s disease, who are or could be involved in studies examining brain aging and neurogenesis.
✕Less likely to help
Young healthy individuals without interest in aging or Alzheimer’s-related brain changes are less likely to benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers are exploring how the aging brain compares to Alzheimer’s disease in the hippocampus, focusing on how blood vessels, new neurons, and connections between cells change over time. The project examines factors like Kruppel Like Factor 9 and vascular growth signals to understand what supports healthy neurogenesis and plasticity. Using human brain tissue and related samples, the study aims to map how aging alters the balance between neurons and glial cells and how this impacts memory-related functions. Insights could point to ways to preserve brain health and delay cognitive decline in older adults with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding vascular and cellular changes could lead to strategies that maintain memory and cognitive health in aging and Alzheimer’s disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown aging affects brain vasculature and neurogenesis; this study extends findings to human-relevant markers like Klf9 and VEGFR2 to link aging with functional outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dupont, Maura Boldrini — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Dupont, Maura Boldrini
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.