Blood-vessel repair cells and brain blood-vessel health in aging
Endothelial progenitor cells and neurovascular injury in the aging
This work looks at whether blood cells that help repair small brain vessels (endothelial progenitor cells) in older adults help protect thinking and memory even when Alzheimer’s or vascular changes are present.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11230181 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will take blood from older adults to measure and grow endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). They will compare EPC levels and how well the cells grow and function from people with and without Alzheimer’s-related or small vessel brain changes. Lab tests will use a microbrain chip to see how cultured EPCs form and support a blood-brain barrier. Those cell findings will be compared with brain imaging measures of cerebrovascular function and blood-brain barrier integrity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults at risk for dementia because of age, genetic risk such as APOE variants, abnormal Alzheimer’s biomarkers, or signs of cerebral small vessel disease who can give blood and undergo brain imaging are the best fit.
Not a fit: Younger people, those unwilling to provide blood or have brain scans, or people with very advanced dementia are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could identify blood markers or cell behaviors that point to new ways to protect brain blood vessels and preserve thinking in aging.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work links EPCs to vascular health and cognition, but combining cultured EPCs with microbrain chips and detailed brain imaging is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nation, Daniel a — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Nation, Daniel a
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.