Amyloid beta and collagen IV in brain blood vessels in Alzheimer’s
Amyloid Beta and Collagen IV Interactions in the Brain Microvasculature in Alzheimers Disease
This project looks at how Alzheimer’s-related amyloid beta affects a blood‑vessel protein called collagen IV in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11304591 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine human Alzheimer’s and control brain tissue and tiny blood vessels to map where amyloid beta and collagen IV are located relative to each other. They will analyze matched viable human microvessels with high‑resolution imaging and look for enzymes or structural changes that break down collagen IV. In a mouse model that accumulates amyloid, the team will follow how amyloid buildup and its removal (including with the antibody lecanemab) change collagen IV and vessel integrity. The goal is to explain why clearing amyloid can sometimes harm small brain vessels and suggest approaches to prevent that harm.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer’s disease, patients treated with amyloid‑targeting antibodies, and families willing to donate brain tissue after death would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer’s disease or those who cannot donate tissue or participate in related clinical follow‑up are unlikely to directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help explain and reduce blood‑vessel damage linked to amyloid‑clearing Alzheimer therapies, making treatments safer.
How similar studies have performed: Previous use of amyloid‑removing antibodies like lecanemab has cleared amyloid but been associated with vascular side effects, so this research addresses a poorly understood mechanism.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reed, May J — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Reed, May J
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 below.