Aortic stiffness and brain health: how arterial pulses affect dementia risk
Official title: Aortic stiffness, wave reflection, and cerebrovascular flow pulsatility: relations with brain small vessel disease and cognitive function in a middle-aged cohort
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11463277 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether stiffer arteries and pulsing blood flow are linked to brain small vessel damage and changes in thinking in middle-aged adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $659,226 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG079390-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11463277 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults in mid-life who are at risk for or concerned about ADRD and are willing to undergo noninvasive cardiovascular and brain imaging assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with advanced ADRD or contraindications to imaging procedures may experience limited or no direct benefit.
What this research studies
As people age, their risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias rises, and this study explores whether stiffness in the aorta contributes to that risk by altering blood flow to the brain. The research will examine how wave reflections and pulsatile energy travel from the heart through the arteries to the brain and how these factors relate to brain vessel damage and cognitive function. Using imaging and physiological measurements, researchers aim to map the chain from arterial stiffness to brain changes and, ultimately, to cognitive outcomes. Participants may include adults in a middle-aged range who undergo noninvasive tests and assessments related to cardiovascular and brain health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could identify arterial targets to reduce brain vessel damage and preserve cognitive function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked aortic stiffness with brain vessel changes and cognitive decline, supporting a potentially beneficial approach in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ramachandran, Vasan — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Ramachandran, Vasan
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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.