Blood and vessel markers of blood-vessel damage in Alzheimer's and related dementias
Molecular Markers of Cerebrovascular Pathologies in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
The team will look for blood proteins and vessel-gene changes that signal blood-vessel damage linked to Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Riverside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10933526 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will map how brain blood vessels change over time in Alzheimer's models and relate those changes to proteins found in the blood and genes active in vessel cells. The work combines lab studies using AD model mice with analyses tied to human clinical findings to capture timing and sex differences. By comparing vessel structure, blood-borne protein profiles, and endothelial cell gene activity, they aim to find reliable molecular signals of vascular dysfunction. This could clarify when vascular changes appear in the disease process and which blood markers reflect those changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include people with early Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, or those considered at higher risk for Alzheimer-related vascular changes, often nearby the study center.
Not a fit: People without vascular involvement in their dementia or those with very advanced, late-stage disease are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable blood tests that detect vascular damage linked to Alzheimer's earlier or help predict who is at higher risk of cognitive decline.
How similar studies have performed: Past studies have shown vascular abnormalities and altered blood proteins in Alzheimer’s, but directly linking blood markers to vessel-specific gene changes is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Riverside, United States
- University of California Riverside — Riverside, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Obenaus, Andre — University of California Riverside
- Study coordinator: Obenaus, Andre
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.