Brain artery changes and Alzheimer's disease
Cerebrovascular Remodeling and Neurodegenerative Changes in Alzheimer's Disease
Researchers are looking at whether stiffening and damage of large brain arteries are linked to Alzheimer's progression and the buildup of amyloid and tau in people with or at risk for Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11295375 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, this project looks at how large blood vessels in the brain change as Alzheimer's develops. The team examines human cerebral arteries and compares vessel stiffness, structure, and cellular changes with signs of amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration using vascular mechanobiology and precision mass spectrometry. They combine human tissue and clinical data with advanced laboratory analyses to identify patterns connecting vessel remodeling to toxic protein buildup. The goal is to clarify whether vascular changes help drive or predict Alzheimer's-related brain damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be older adults with Alzheimer's disease, people with mild cognitive impairment, or individuals at elevated risk who can provide clinical data, imaging, or tissue samples.
Not a fit: People whose cognitive problems are caused by non-vascular conditions unrelated to amyloid or tau, or those seeking immediate therapeutic benefit, may not directly benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new blood-vessel–based biomarkers or targets to help detect, monitor, or slow Alzheimer's progression.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier research has linked vascular dysfunction to Alzheimer's and the investigators have preliminary human artery data, but converting these findings into clinical tests or treatments is still at an early stage.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University (Charles River Campus) — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Yanhang Katherine — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Yanhang Katherine
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.