Blood-vessel mitochondria and brain inflammation in Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Cerebrovascular mitochondria as mediators of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences · NIH-11468560 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at how tiny powerhouses inside blood‑vessel cells may trigger inflammation that worsens Alzheimer's for people with the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Juan, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $248,999 |
| NIH project number | 4R00AG083227-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11468560 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with Alzheimer's disease—especially those with signs of cerebral amyloid angiopathy or early cognitive decline—are the most relevant group for this research.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer's or without vascular amyloid involvement, and those with very advanced disease, are less likely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are focusing on the cells that line brain blood vessels and the mitochondria inside those cells to see how they react to amyloid beta buildup. They will track mitochondrial signals such as reactive oxygen species and other danger signals that can spark inflammation and damage the blood‑brain barrier. The team will use laboratory models, cell and tissue studies, and disease‑relevant samples to follow how failed amyloid clearance leads to vessel injury and neuroinflammation. Their experiments will also examine how endothelial cell damage affects neighboring brain cells like astrocytes and microglia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to protect blood vessels and reduce inflammation, potentially slowing Alzheimer's progression.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show mitochondria can drive inflammation, but applying this specifically to brain blood‑vessel cells in Alzheimer's is a relatively new and developing area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences
San Juan, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parodi-Rullan, Rebecca Maria — University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences
- Study coordinator: Parodi-Rullan, Rebecca Maria
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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.