Altered microglia states and their link to white matter disease in VCID
Official title: Altered Microglia States and Microglia-Endothelial Cell Axis in Relation to White Matter Disease Progression in VCID
Funded at University of Edinburgh · NIH-11627878 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how brain immune cells called microglia interact with blood vessels to cause white matter damage and cognitive decline in vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Edinburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Edinburgh, United Kingdom) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $24,008 |
| NIH project number | 3R01NS134015-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11627878 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with or at risk for VCID/Alzheimer's-related white matter disease who may contribute tissue samples or participate in future translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without VCID or related white matter disease may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers will study human brain tissue and animal models to explore how different microglia states affect the cells lining blood vessels and the blood-brain barrier, and how these changes relate to white matter damage and thinking problems in VCID. They will examine how reduced blood flow influences microglia and vascular cells in white matter, using cutting-edge imaging and molecular techniques. The team aims to identify specific microglia regulators that disrupt microglia–endothelium balance and drive disease progression, with plans to translate findings toward therapies that protect white matter and cognition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets to slow or prevent white matter damage and cognitive decline in VCID.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show microglia–vascular interactions influence white matter health, supporting the potential relevance of this approach, though the exact regulators are still being defined.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Horsburgh, Karen — University of Edinburgh
- Study coordinator: Horsburgh, Karen
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.