Brain blood vessel imaging for Alzheimer's and vascular dementia
Quantitative cerebral blood vessel imaging biomarkers for AD and VCID
This project uses advanced 3-D brain imaging to find blood vessel signs linked to Alzheimer's disease and vascular causes of dementia in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11372800 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have detailed 3-D images taken of the blood vessels in your brain to measure vessel shape, stiffness, and pulsatile flow. Researchers will compare these vessel features between people with Alzheimer's and those with vascular cognitive impairment to find patterns that match each condition. The work combines imaging, clinical information (like APOE status and vascular risk factors), and quantitative algorithms to create reproducible vessel biomarkers. Over time, these measures are meant to help doctors better identify the type and severity of vascular contributions to cognitive problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with memory or thinking problems or people with vascular risk factors or a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or vascular cognitive impairment who can undergo brain imaging.
Not a fit: People without cognitive or vascular concerns, those under 21, or anyone unable to tolerate or safely undergo the required brain imaging (for example, due to MRI contraindications or severe agitation) are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could help doctors distinguish Alzheimer's from vascular-related dementia earlier and more accurately, guiding more personalized care.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has used MRI markers like white matter changes and microbleeds to study vascular injury in dementia, but using detailed quantitative vessel morphology and pulsatility as specific biomarkers is a newer approach with encouraging early results.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yan, Lirong — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Yan, Lirong
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.